A Health Inequalities Impact Assessment of the surveillance of COVID-19 in asymptomatic patients attending dental settings in Scotland

Burns, J. et al. (2022) A Health Inequalities Impact Assessment of the surveillance of COVID-19 in asymptomatic patients attending dental settings in Scotland. Community Dental Health, 39(4), pp. 254-259. (PMID:36283070)

Abstract

Introduction: A key aspect of the public health response to COVID-19 in Scotland was enhanced community surveillance, including testing in dental settings. Across Scotland, dental settings offered patients over 5-years-old the opportunity to participate in community surveillance of COVID-19. Methods: A Health Inequalities Impact Assessment (HIIA) was conducted to understand the differential impacts the programme would have on the population and to improve the accessibility of the programme. HIIA is a tool to allow the assessment, understanding, and mitigation of impacts on people of a proposed policy or practice. It fulfils an organisational duty to meet the requirements of the Equality Act and Fairer Scotland Duty. The HIIA was conducted rapidly in parallel with the programme development. An action research approach included an online workshop, consultation, review of population data and a literature search. Results: Adjustments were required to improve the programme’s accessibility. Stakeholders, including dental teams from across Scotland were involved in the consultation and brought their front-line experience in different settings. Common issues identified included digital literacy and access, language and cultural barriers to participation, and issues relating to the implications of a positive COVID-19 result. Literature indicated limited evidence on the acceptability, accessibility, and equity of asymptomatic COVID-19 surveillance. Conclusion: This HIIA was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic. As an example of good practice in tackling inequalities in access to programmes it should represent the benchmark for other similar initiatives.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: Funding: The surveillance programme was funded by the Scottish Government Public Health COVID Directorate.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: O'Keefe, Mrs Emma and Culshaw, Professor Shauna and Conway, Professor David
• Authors: Burns, J., Mc Goldrick, N., Sigerson, D., Edwards, M., Culshaw, S., Clark, C., Watling, C., Braid, R., O'Keefe, E., Gorman, M., and Conway, D. I.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing > Dental School
• Journal Name: Community Dental Health
• Publisher: Dennis Barber Ltd.
• ISSN: 0265-539X
• ISSN (Online): 2515-1746
• Published Online: 25 October 2022
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2022 BASCD
• First Published: First published in Community Dental Health 39(4): 254-259
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy