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Improving Access to Necessary Oral Healthcare Among Racialized Women Impacted by Intimate Partner Violence: A
Cyndirela Chadambuka1, Isabel Arruda-Caycho1, Clara Juando-Prats2,3
1Institute of Health Policy Management and Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Background/Aim:
Women with lived experiences of intimate partner violence (IPV), especially physical trauma to the head, neck, and face, can experience oral health issues, leading to significant dental problems. Despite these severe dental outcomes, racialized women who have experienced IPV often find oral healthcare largely inaccessible. Yet access to oral care is a crucial, overlooked aspect of health and support for racialized women who have experienced IPV. The study aimed to explore the barriers and facilitators to accessing oral healthcare for racialized women who experience intimate partner violence.
Materials And Methods:
A qualitative research study using a critical, intersectional lens and principles of Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) was conducted using 14 interviews with women and five focus group discussions with dentists (n = 9) and shelter providers (n = 8) in Toronto, Canada. The resulting data were analyzed through reflexive thematic analysis guided by the McIntyre access framework.
Results:
The research findings highlighted multiple barriers to oral healthcare. Financial difficulties and coverage restrictions make it challenging for participants to afford the high cost of needed treatment. There are intersectional power dynamics and structural barriers in service delivery that shape oral care experiences and can manifest as racial discrimination and misogyny. Additional barriers include long waitlists and minimal access to culturally responsive care.
Conclusions:
This research underscores the urgent need for policies that expand dental care coverage and for further training of dental providers in trauma sensitivity and culturally competent care.
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