ISSN 2756-3421
African Journal of Dentistry ISSN: 2167-0405 Vol. 2 (1), pp. 028-031, September, 2014. © International Scholars Journals
Review
Utilization of dental health services by adult immigrants: A narrative review
Kambale Mastaki J
Independent Researcher in Epidemiology, Via Ippolito Nievo, 2160015 Falconara M. (Italy).E-mail: [email protected], Tel: +39 3496331454
Accepted 30 July, 2014.
Abstract
Poverty, wars, complex disasters and globalization have, for long time, been associated with significant migrations from areas “unsecure” to those assumed to be more secure. Migrants usually bring in host countries their specific problems including health-related. Underutilization of dental health services (DHS) is an example among many others. Most immigrants seek curative than preventive care services. Barriers to dental services utilization, as reported by most immigrants, include low income, lack of dental insurance, older age, male sex and acculturation. Healthcare policymakers of host countries have to urgently and appropriately tackle this unfavourable disparity in healthcare which has a non-negligible burden.
Key words: Dental health services; utilization; migrants.