Refugees and Asylum Seekers

Question 1

NHS dental charges apply to all NHS patients, unless what? (4)

Answer 1

• Treatment is free (Stop bleeding, Remove stitches, repair dentures)
• The person is under the age of 18, or under 19 in full-time education
• The patient person is receiving certain benefits.
• The person is pregnant or has had a baby in the last 12 months.

Question 2

Refugee + Asylum seeking-children are at an increased risk of what?

Answer 2

Feeling affects of poverty
Difficulties with social intergration

Question 3

Question regarding Health Assessment Protocol for children

If entry assessment is missed when is the next opportunity for this assessment?

Answer 3

If the entry assessment is missed, the next opportunity is when the unaccompanied child is placed under a local authority’s care.

Question 4

Question regarding Health Assessment Protocol for children

A child’s first medical assessment ideally should be done where?

Answer 4

In the country where they sought refuge before arriving in the UK.

Question 5

What is the difference between a refugee and asylum seeker in the UK?

Answer 5

A refugee is a person who has been granted asylum in the UK to avoid persecution in their country (due to religion, race, political opinion etc)

An asylum seeker is a person who has applied for asylum in the UK but has not yet been granted refugee status

Question 6

Comment on payment for urgent treatment

Answer 6

Patients must be treated immediately for urgent or necessary treatment even if they haven’t made an advance payment

Question 7

Question regarding Health Assessment Protocol for children

Besides general health what should be included in the Health Assessment Protocol for children?

Answer 7

Include Oral Health

Question 8

How may a dental environment trigger a PTSD response from a patient?

Answer 8

Simple tasks such as reclining the dental chair and using the light to examine a patient can evoke
* Past memories of interrogation
* Past memories of loss of control
* Past memories subsequent abuse

Question 9

Question regarding Health Assessment Protocol for children

What is the time frame of the initial health assessment?

Answer 9

The initial health assessment must be done within 28 days after registration.

Question 10

List some ways in which dental teams can adapt and cater for refugees/immigrants

Answer 10

• Understand service entitlements and different cultures with a sympathetic, personalized approach.
• Perform a detailed oral health assessment with a focus on prevention.
• Use interpreting services instead of relying on children to translate for adults.
• Consider the effects of torture and imprisonment on dental treatment.
• Allocate extra time and resources for oral health care.
• Refer children to other health and social professionals, such as health visitors and school nurses, to identify at-risk individuals.
• Consult with children, young people, families, and community groups to ensure sensitive service delivery.

Question 11

List 3 NHS entitlements to primary care

Answer 11

• Anyone can register with a GP regardless of their immigration status
• Dental practices are not required to ask proof of identity or immigration status of individuals
• Take time to explain to the patient their entitlement for NHS dental care

Question 12

What is this leaflet?

Answer 12

Handed out to refugees in temporary/ emergency housing in different languages by orginsation called Doctors of the world

In response to some immigrants and refugees being turned away from health care practices due to the lack of knowledge receptionists may have about access to the NHS.

Question 13

Give 3 barriers in accessing and receiving healthcare for refugees in the UK

Answer 13

1. Lack of awarness of struture and function of the NHS
2. Language barries and inadequate interpretaing services
3. Discrimination or fear of discrimination by healthcare staff

Question 14

What health services are free in the UK?

Answer 14

• A & E
• Testing and treatment of infectious diseases
• Family planning (finding out when woman is most fertile)
• Services for physical or mental treatment caused by torture or violence

Question 15

What are some health challenges you may see in a refugee/asylum seeker (4)

Answer 15

• Untreated communicable/infectious diseases (HIV, COVID, TB)
• Poorly controlled NCDs/Chronic conditions (Diabetes, Cancer, Hypertension)
• Poor access to maternity care
• Mental health issues or need of specialist support (come from traumatic situations)

Question 16

What is ARAP?
How many people are apart of the ARAP programme?
What does this mean for NHS tx?

Answer 16

Afghan Relocation and Assistant Policy (relocating and assisting them)

16000 Afghan citizens relocated in the UK

People under the ARAP programme are entitled access to all NHS health care services

Question 17

Question regarding Health Assessment Protocol for children

What should the authority responsible for the child have after the assessment is done?

Answer 17

A health plan that includes medical and dental care, treatment, and advice.

Question 18

What % of asylum seekers have their applications to be treated as a refugee turned down in the UK?

What does this mean about their access to health services?

Answer 18

53%

Resulting in them most likely hiding from health services and other services when they may need them

Question 19

Non residents of the UK are charged to use secondary care but some groups are exempt, give some examples

Answer 19

• Refugees and their dependents
• Asylum seekers and their dependents
• Some refused asylum seekers
• Children looked after by a local authority
• Victims of modern slavery