Negro K Sawyer, Scott Joanna M, Marcenko Maureen, Chi Donald L
Dr. Negro is a pediatric dentist in private practice, None, Bellingham, Wash., USA.
Dr. Scott is an assistant professor, Research and Graduate Programs, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, Mo., USA.
Pediatr Dent. 2019 Jan 15;41(1):48-51.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of social worker-delivered oral health interventions for preschoolers in foster care. We interviewed social workers in Washington state (N equals 20). Interview data were coded into three domains: (1) oral health predictors and outcomes; (2) dental care access; and (3) intervention feasibility. The mean age of participants was 39.8±10.5 years, and 65 percent worked in the public sector. Participants believed preschoolers in foster care are at risk for poor oral health, secondary to neglect and suboptimal behaviors. Many children enter foster care not having seen a dentist because of financial barriers and difficulties finding dentists who accept Medicaid. Barriers to care persist after entering foster care. Social workers considered themselves ideal interventionists to lead brief oral health programs during home visits. To enhance feasibility, social workers would require education and training. Future research should explore interventions that could be implemented by social workers to improve the oral health of foster children.
本研究的目的是评估由社会工作者为寄养中的学龄前儿童提供口腔健康干预措施的可行性。我们采访了华盛顿州的社会工作者（N = 20）。访谈数据被编码为三个领域：（1）口腔健康预测因素和结果；（2）获得牙科护理的机会；（3）干预措施的可行性。参与者的平均年龄为39.8±10.5岁，65%在公共部门工作。参与者认为，由于忽视和不良行为，寄养中的学龄前儿童面临口腔健康不佳的风险。由于经济障碍以及难以找到接受医疗补助的牙医，许多儿童进入寄养机构时从未看过牙医。进入寄养机构后，获得护理的障碍依然存在。社会工作者认为自己是在家访期间开展简短口腔健康项目的理想干预者。为提高可行性，社会工作者需要接受教育和培训。未来的研究应探索社会工作者可以实施的干预措施，以改善寄养儿童的口腔健康。
