Care providers' views about oral health of looked after children
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring the views of foster parents and looked after children nurses regarding oral health of looked after children
IRAS ID
227852
Contact name
Jennifer Parry
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Sussex Community NHS FT
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 3 months, 31 days
Research summary
Summary of Research
This study aims to engage with carers and nursing staff within the children's care system regarding oral health care for looked after children (children in care). NHS providers work in partnership with local authorities to develop appropriate services to meet the health needs of looked after children (LAC) including oral health. A body of international evidence has identified that LAC are more likely to have dental treatment needs and less likely to access dental services, including preventive dental care, even when accounting for sociodemographic factors. This study aims to explore the views of foster parents and LAC nurses about oral health advice and pathways available for LAC on entering and throughout their time in the care system. The study will potentially contribute to the planning of future oral health services for LAC.Summary of Results
This research project aimed to engage with Looked After Children (LAC) nurses and foster carers to explore their views of dental services and oral healthcare for Looked After Children (LAC).
The study engaged with LAC specialist nursing staff and foster carers to explore what they understand, need and do about dental and oral health needs for LAC. Foster carers were asked to complete a questionnaire survey which collected data including number of years of fostering, number and age of children being looked after and multiple-choice questions to assess the attitudes, practices and barriers relating to oral care for LAC. LAC nurses were recruited and invited to a face-to-face interview.
Convenient and timely dental access and treatment was highlighted as challenging by foster carers and LAC nurses. Issues regarding dental health and attendance for teenage LAC were particularly highlighted by both carers and LAC nurses, who advocated for empathy, compassion and better communication from dental teams. Foster carers identified the need for LAC to have dental treatment completed as a priority, as concern was voiced that birth families may not seek the required treatment if the LAC returned home after a care placement. The waiting time for access to the community dental service and dental general anaesthesia services was considered too long particularly as children may be placed in care for short periods or move area before gaining access to appropriate primary dental care or hospital general anaesthetic dental services. Carers and LAC nurses expressed a strong desire that priority dental access and treatment status for NHS dental care should be commissioned within dental contracts for all LAC because of vulnerability, frequent history of neglect as well as the need for submission of the annual dental update information within the Department for Education data returns.
This project highlighted information and learning for the dental team and commissioners of dental services. Recommendations from foster carers and LAC nurses included formalising priority dental access and treatment, better communication between agencies for consistent dental health messages, provision or a toothcare pack on entering care and technology with dental alerts to assist care leavers.REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Bradford Leeds Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/YH/0425
Date of REC Opinion
5 Dec 2017
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion