Lecture 6 - Oral health inequalities (not full at all)

Question 1

Proportionate universalism:

1. What is it?
2. Example of…..
3. Equity of access means?

Answer 1

1. It is the characteristic of service provision or intervention which is universal with a scale and intensity that is proportional to needs.
2. Example of access to dental services
   – Universal free dental care for children, but children at risk are targeted for extra attention
3. Equity of access means access proportionate to need, not necessarily the same access for everyone

Question 2

Explain why it is important to consider inequalities in oral health.

Answer 2

Many of the inequalities in oral health are caused by modifiable risk factors. This means it may be possible to develop and promote oral health interventions that could specifically target groups with poor oral health, as well as the general New Zealand population.

As mentioned in the answer to question one, most oral diseases are progressive and irreversible. Therefore, for those groups currently experiencing inequalities in oral health outcomes it is even more important to develop interventions designed to prevent oral diseases from developing, as an early onset and ongoing progression of disease will promote the growth of inequality between groups.

Question 3

Which groups in New Zealand are most likely to be affected by inequalities in oral health?

Answer 3

Groups most likely to be affected by inequalities in oral health include lower socio- economic groups, Māori and Pacific ethnic groups, people with lower levels of education, populations with limited access to fluoridated water supplies, and populations that are more geographically isolated in New Zealand.

Question 4

Explain the concept of proportionate universalism as it relates to interventions to reduce inequalities in oral health.

Answer 4

Proportionate universalism aims to reduce health inequalities by decreasing the steepness of the social gradient of health within a population. To achieve this, interventions endeavour to target an entire population (universalism), but adjust the intensity and scope of the intervention to reflect the different levels of disadvantage within the population (proportionate). In practice, this means that populations/groups with the greatest need will benefit more from the intervention than those who are less in need.

Question 5

Downstream preventive interventions rely on ____ _____

– Tend to……

Answer 5

Downstream preventive interventions rely on changing behaviours
– Tend to increase inequalities – Those most in need are least likely to benefit

Question 6

Upstream interventions focus on ____ ____ _____ & ____
– Can reduce _____
– Those in need…..

Answer 6

Upstream interventions focus on determinants of health & disease
– Can reduce inequalities
– Those in need benefit more

Question 7

Explain why it is important to consider inequalities in oral health.

Answer 7

Many of the inequalities in oral health are caused by modifiable risk factors. This means it may be possible to develop and promote oral health interventions that could specifically target groups with poor oral health, as well as the general New Zealand population.

As mentioned in the answer to question one, most oral diseases are progressive and irreversible. Therefore, for those groups currently experiencing inequalities in oral health outcomes it is even more important to develop interventions designed to prevent oral diseases from developing, as an early onset and ongoing progression of disease will promote the growth of inequality between groups.

Question 8

Which groups in New Zealand are most likely to be affected by inequalities in oral health?

Answer 8

Groups most likely to be affected by inequalities in oral health include lower socio- economic groups, Māori and Pacific ethnic groups, people with lower levels of education, populations with limited access to fluoridated water supplies, and populations that are more geographically isolated in New Zealand.

Question 9

Explain the concept of proportionate universalism as it relates to interventions to reduce inequalities in oral health.

Answer 9

Proportionate universalism aims to reduce health inequalities by decreasing the steepness of the social gradient of health within a population. To achieve this, interventions endeavour to target an entire population (universalism), but adjust the intensity and scope of the intervention to reflect the different levels of disadvantage within the population (proportionate). In practice, this means that populations/groups with the greatest need will benefit more from the intervention than those who are less in need.