Best practice models for dental care delivery for people experiencing homelessness

Serban, S. , Bradley, N., Atkins, B., Whiston, S. and Witton, R. (2023) Best practice models for dental care delivery for people experiencing homelessness. British Dental Journal, 235(12), pp. 933-937. (doi: 10.1038/s41415-023-6455-8)

Abstract

People experiencing homelessness have been encountering significant barriers in accessing healthcare services, including dental care services. There are several definitions for homelessness: it includes people sleeping rough but also people living in temporary accommodation. These categories are dynamic and individuals often find themselves on a continuum oscillating between sleeping rough and living in temporary accommodation. Their health-seeking behaviours are shaped by their living arrangements; therefore, one single model of dental care service delivery might not capture the needs of all those experiencing homelessness within an area. The service models presented in this paper are based on primary care delivery, mobile dental units and community clinics. Each of these models presents advantages and disadvantages and consideration should be given to delivering these on a complementary basis to maximise access to dental care, regardless of where patients are on the continuum between sleeping rough and living in temporary accommodation.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Serban, Dr Stefan
• Authors: Serban, S., Bradley, N., Atkins, B., Whiston, S., and Witton, R.
• Subjects: R Medicine > RK Dentistry
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing > Dental School
• Journal Name: British Dental Journal
• Publisher: Springer Nature
• ISSN: 0007-0610
• ISSN (Online): 1476-5373
• Published Online: 15 December 2023
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2023 The Author(s) under exclusive licence to the British Dental Association
• First Published: First published in British Dental Journal 235(12):933-937
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy