CHARLOTTE, N.C., USA: For the first time, researchers in the U.S. have conducted a qualitative survey among almost 100 mothers of children with orofacial clefts (OFC) with respect to their perception of barriers to medical care. Almost half of the respondents commented negatively on financial, structural and personal barriers with regard to care in the state of North Carolina.
From May to October 2006, researchers surveyed 98 mothers whose children were registered in the North Carolina Birth Defects Monitoring Program as having been born with OFC between 2001 and 2004. The participants assessed the quality of care received in North Carolina in the previous 12 months.
The survey revealed that 12.2 percent of the respondents felt that their child had not received the medical care he or she needed. While the majority (64 percent) reported that primary cleft and craniofacial care was often or almost often effective in the period studied, a considerable 39 percent perceived access to medical care for their child as problematic.
About 20 percent of the respondents mentioned having experienced financial barriers to cleft care, and structural barriers, such as limited access to health services, were mentioned by 26.5 percent of the respondents. Among others, insurance not covering the care needed, having to take time off work, transportation issues and long waiting periods were among the primary reasons for negative reports.
One mother said that she had not been told by the staff at her child's birth hospital about any cleft services. "The mountain region has a complete lack of care for anyone with facial differences," stated another mother in the survey.
According to the researchers, treatment of OFC traditionally relies upon specialized teams or centers, which are not available in certain geographic locations.
"Health insurance companies, health departments, craniofacial and cleft teams and centers, and birth defect registries should work collaboratively with families and existing healthcare systems to provide identification and referral of children with OFC to needed services," they concluded.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 7,000 babies in the U.S. are born with cleft lip or cleft palate or both every year. The birth defect is characterized by the malformation of a baby's lip or mouth, which occurs during early pregnancy. Children born with a cleft lip or palate usually have problems with feeding, talking and their teeth.
The study was conducted by researchers at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and at Chapel Hill, as well as at the University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It was published in the May issue of the Cleft Palate–Craniofacial Journal, an official publication of the American Cleft Palate–Craniofacial Association.
NEW YORK, N.Y., USA: The majority of Hispanics in the U.S. believe more information about good oral health habits, access to affordable oral health care, ...
NEWARK, New Jersey, US: The specialty of orofacial pain (OFP) has been officially recognised by the American Dental Association (ADA) for over four years. ...
ROSEMONT, Ill. – More than one in four children born with a cleft lip and/or palate face a geographic disadvantage to access certified treatment for their...
ORLANDO, Fla., USA: FDC2021 is excited to offer the opportunity for dental professionals to meet face-to-face with 225-plus leading dental vendors at its ...
Glendale, Calif.: Despite being one of the most preventable of all diseases, tooth decay continues to rank as the most widespread public health issue for ...
NEW YORK, NY, USA: Children with cleft lip and/or palate experience significant differences in obtaining dental care depending on the type of insurance...
WASHINGTON, US: The American Dental Association (ADA) and 19 other healthcare associations have urged US lawmakers to confront problems facing the domestic...
LOUISVILLE, Ky., USA: Access to oral health care has increased since 2001, yet more children face urgent dental needs, according to a new study ...
LONDON, UK: Most American children do not see their family dentist until they are well over 2 years old, far later than is recommended by both dental ...
ST. PAUL, Minn., US: 3M has announced that Solventum will be the name of the planned independent healthcare company that will be formed from a spin-off of ...
Live webinar
Thu. 18 July 2024
8:00 PM EST (New York)
Live webinar
Tue. 6 August 2024
6:00 PM EST (New York)
Live webinar
Tue. 13 August 2024
7:00 PM EST (New York)
Live webinar
Wed. 14 August 2024
12:30 PM EST (New York)
Live webinar
Wed. 21 August 2024
9:00 AM EST (New York)
Dr. Jim Lai DMD, MSc(Perio), EdD, FRCD(C)
Live webinar
Wed. 28 August 2024
8:00 PM EST (New York)
Live webinar
Mon. 2 September 2024
5:00 AM EST (New York)
To post a reply please login or register