สภาวะสุขภาพช่องปากและประสบการณ์การใช้บริการทันตกรรมของคนไร้บ้านในประเทศไทย การศึกษาภาคตัดขวางจากสมาชิกโครงการจ้างวานข้า

Wararat Jaichuen; Poolpruek Soparat

Authors

Wararat Jaichuen Health Administration Division, Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Public Health
Poolpruek Soparat Bureau of Dental Health, Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health

Keywords:

homeless, vulnerable group, oral health, dental service utilization

Abstract

This special article provides the first empirical evidence on the oral health conditions and dental service experiences among homeless people in Thailand, based on information from the volunteer spirit activities on medical and dental services to members of the social enterprise project “Work from Homeless”. On May 20, 2023, a total of 140 project members were most older persons, 130 voluntarily joined the interview, 122 had oral examination, 115 were in dental treatment needs (not including dentures). A total of 90 people received simple dental services as needed on the day of the activity, 24 refused treatment, and 1 person received no dental treatment due to uncontrolled diabetes. Only 98 people who agreed to be interviewed and examined were presented. The results confirm severe dental problems and higher unmet dental service needs among these homeless people than the general population, despite this list of unmet dental services has already been included in the benefit packages of all three health insurance systems. Not being aware of their health rights is likely to be a major barrier for homeless people in accessing to dental services. Creating awareness among homeless people of their rights should therefore be the first strategy to be implemented. Additional patient perspectives on barriers and enablers to dental care access are required for future planning of the dental service system to ensure that no one is left behind.

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