homelessness C D A J O U R N A L , V O L 4 9 , Nº 5
Findings in Oral Health: Attitudes and Quality of Life Among Patients Experiencing Homelessness Hazem Seirawan, DDS, MPH, MS; Laura Elizondo, DDS; Niel Nathason, MPH, MS; and Roseann Mulligan, DDS, MS
abstract Background: The goal of this study was to evaluate access to dental care, oral health attitudes, oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) and satisfaction with received dental care among people experiencing homelessness (PEH) who are receiving dental services from a safety net program in downtown Los Angeles. Methods: The subjects were read the study questions in two separate interviews at baseline and follow-up assessing health attitudes and OHRQoL. Results: The study recruited 80 subjects. OHRQoL average scores improved from 35 to 26 points over the study period. The program resulted in a statistically significant reduction in the extent and prevalence of the OHRQoL scores with an improvement of 46.9% and 26.1% respectively. Subjective saliva indicators were statistically significantly associated with poorer total and partial scores of the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14). The subjects were satisfied with the providers and the services they received. Conclusions: The study found that providing adequate access to oral health care for PEH should reduce the severity of their oral health diseases and thus reduce the associated negative impacts on their OHRQoL. Practical implications: Community and private clinics should be supported in providing better access to oral health care for PEH and educated about the role of this access on employability, acceptability, rehabilitation and reintegration of PEH in our society. Key words: Oral health, quality of life, homelessness
M AY 2 0 2 1
345
