W5 - Prevalence of Oral Conditions in Rural/Remote - Manju

Question 1

Prevalence of health risk factors in relation to remoteness (5)

Answer 1

Ppl outside of major cities have:

1. Higher rates of smoking
2. Higher rates of risky drinking levels that affect longterm health
3. Higher rates of obesity
4. less likely to eat recommended amount of fruit and veg
5. More likely to consume sugar/pop

Question 2

Health inequalities of rural and remote (4)

Answer 2

Challenges in accessing HC and specialists

Social determinants (income, edu, employment)

Higher rates of risky behaviours (smoke and alc)

Higher rates of occupational and physical risk (ex. farming/mining work)

Question 3

Describe Oral health of regional vs major city

Answer 3

Regional / remote have:

• Poorer general and oral health
• Higher levels of tooth loss and untreated decay
• Children have more decay

Question 4

How does potentially preventable hospitalisations relate to remoteness?

Answer 4

the rate of PPH increases with remoteness

• Residents of rural are 2x as likely to be hospitalised
• Kids aged 0-14 are 3x more likely

Question 5

Why do regional/remote have worse oral health? (6)

Answer 5

Fewer dental practitioners

Higher costs of providing services

Inadequate clinical infrastructure

Lack of transport

Reduced access to fluoridated water

Increased cost of healthy food and OH products

Question 6

What are key strategies in Australias national oral health plan? (4)

Answer 6

Promote F in alternative forms to ppl where f tap water not available

Explore mechanisms to reduce the cost of healthy foods and OH products in rural areas

Implement innovative service models / funding mechanisms to support flexible oral health service delivery in rural

Enhance programs to recruit and retain dental practitioners in rural areas

Question 7

General idea of how to improve oral health in rural (4)

Answer 7

Increase communication between primary care and dental care providers

OH promotion

Reduce barriers to accessing care

Improve service delivery models

Question 8

Strategies to improve recruitment based on the “rural background effect”

Answer 8

• Increasing number of dental students accepted from rural upbringings
• Rural placement programs during undergrad training
• Locating dental schools in rural areas

Question 9

What is the “rural background effect”

Answer 9

Prior exposure and positive expereicnes in rural areas influence devision to work in rural areas

Question 10

What are the factors influencing rural recruitment and retention?

Answer 10

• Job availbility
• Family relationships / partner considerations
• Family needs
• Good mentorship
• Clinical training / experience
• Lifestyle
• Job satisfaction
• Sustainability of practice
• Rural exposure
• Housing, costs
• Community considerations (gold fish bowl)