Lay summary
New Zealand’s former refugees have unmet oral health treatment needs. Our study of Dunedin former refugees reported practitioners’ cultural competency was a major barrier to accessing available oral healthcare.
We will use an electronic survey method to investigate gaps in dental providers’ cultural competency (knowledge and service delivery) when treating former refugees. We then will invite 20 former refugees to group discussions to co-design practical dental guidelines about refugee treatment needs, cultural background, and optimal utilisation of dental services. The same dental providers will be followed-up three months later to assess changes in their cultural competency and practice. Discussion transcripts will be analysed thematically, while the questionnaires will be analysed statistically.
This research intends to develop ways to upskill practitioners to practice safely, facilitate care access for this vulnerable community, and reduce disease rates. This research fits the funding scope of the HRC in healthcare delivery and equity in accessing healthcare.