Caregivers' Experiences with Oral Health Care of Foster Children in North Carolina: A Qualitative Study

Purpose: To identify the oral health needs of foster children and barriers to dental care perceived by caregivers in North Carolina. Methods: Based on a semi-structured questionnaire, interviews were completed via video conferencing platform. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed, and descriptive thematic analysis was conducted via MAXQDA software to derive recurring themes from the data. Results: Thirty foster parents were interviewed. Lack of comprehensive medical and dental history of the foster child was a common concern. Fifty percent reported their foster child had untreated caries upon home placement. Lack of providers accepting Medicaid, limited time in caregivers sched-ules, managing school absences, and lengthy travel distances were identified as barriers to care. Many caregivers reported having experienced challenges with obtaining consent for dental treatment from their child's legal guardians. Caregivers of older teenagers shared concerns re-garding orthodontic care and aging out of Medicaid benefits. Conclusions: The experiences and concerns of caregivers highlighted in this study present various opportunities for governmental services, foster agencies, dental providers, and educators to improve the oral health experience for foster children. Additionally, understanding perceived barriers to care may encourage better utilization of dental Medicaid benefits.