This qualitative study focused on the dental disparities in Blount County, TN and sought to determine if there are enough dental clinics within the dental safety net. Interviews were conducted with 18 individuals who were either service providers or clients of organizations such as the Salvation Army, Alcoa Good Samaritan Clinic, the local health department, Trinity Dental Clinic, Volunteer Ministry Center, Remote Area Medical, and Blount Memorial Hospital. Inclusion criteria for clients included: homeless or living below the poverty level, uninsured, 18 to 65 years of age, has not seen a dentist in the past year and currently suffering a dental problem. The most obvious common theme among the 11 clients interviewed was that they struggle with getting dental care. Patients were asked when the last time they had seen a dentist and they answered years ago, most over ten years ago. Eight of the eleven clients did not know of any facilities they could go to. Cost was the main reason for these clients not seeking dental care. Two dentists were asked about the reasons for disparities in dental care. The major common themes between the dentists were cost, access to care, and education. All five case managers said that they had clients experiencing dental needs ranging from a simple cleaning to an abscess. Currently in Blount County only one dental clinic serves over 17,000 residents who live in poverty.

Primary care physician (PCP) shortages have been a barrier to accessing care for millions of Americans, particularly those living in areas facing the worst shortages - primary care health professional shortage areas (HPSAs). Increased use of nurse practitioners (NPs) has been proposed as a solution to the shortages as NPs can effectively substitute for PCPs. However, this proposal has been hampered by regulatory restrictions on NP scope-of-practice (SOP) that exist in many states. While some states permit NPs to practice and prescribe medications independent of physicians (NP independence), others require extensive physician supervision that limit NPs ability to provide care and substitute for PCPs. Despite the limitations that restrictive regulations pose to improving access to primary care, research evidence of their effect on access in primary care HPSAs is limited. This dissertation fills this gap in the literature. Using individual-level data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Surveys (1996-2015) and a difference-in-differences approach, I exploit variation in NP independence across states and over time to evaluate the impact of NP independence on access to primary care in HPSAs Further, I examined for heterogeneity in the effect of NP independence between HPSAs and non-HPSAs as well as effect heterogeneity in HPSAs based on individual (age, insurance status, and insurance type) and health system characteristics (availability of primary care facilities and NP Medicaid reimbursement rate) I find that NP independence led to a 5% increase in the number of individuals with a primary care provider and a 2% increase in the use of non-physicians (relative to physicians) as the primary care provider in HPSAs. However, non-HPSAs experienced no significant changes in access to care. Further, I find evidence of heterogeneity in the effect of NP independence in HPSAs for all three individual characteristics but find no significant effect heterogeneity for any of the health system characteristics. Non-elderly individuals experienced greater improvements in access following NP independence compared to their elderly counterparts, and while both insured and uninsured individuals experienced improvements in access to care, uninsured individuals benefitted more from NP independence. Further, I find evidence of greater improvements in access to care among Medicaid beneficiaries relative to their privately insured and Medicare counterparts. These findings imply that removing regulatory restrictions on NP SOP could be an effective policy strategy for mitigating the effects of PCP shortages and improving access to care in HPSAs. Further, they demonstrate that NP independence could be a viable tool for addressing access to care issues in two traditionally underserved populations – the uninsured and Medicaid beneficiaries. Beyond addressing access issues, NP independence could also mitigate rising health care costs. The finding of increased use of lower-cost non-physicians rather than their more costly physician counterparts after NP independence indicates that this policy change could also bring about cost savings for society.

Expansion of Medicaid and private health insurance coverage through passage of the Affordable Care Act of 2010 was expected to increase primary care access and reduce emergency department (ED) use by reducing financial burden and improving affordability of care. The aim of this study was to examine the differences in utilization patterns that exist among the Medicaid population that participated in an optimal level of care (OLC) intervention inclusive of appointments scheduled to primary care providers. Using the integrated behavior model as a theoretical framework, the key research question focused on determining if there was a difference in ED use among Medicaid individuals who scheduled follow-up appointments compared to those that did not schedule follow-up appointments. The sample population consisted of 176 Medicaid enrollees who presented to the ED for treatment of nonurgent conditions and participated in an OLC intervention from June 2016 to July 2017. The results showed that there were no differences in ED utilization between the population that had scheduled appointments compared to the population that did not have scheduled appointments. A bivariate analysis on demographic variables also showed no differences in ED utilization among the variables. The social change implications of this study are that the practice of scheduling appointments with primary care providers does not reduce or affect ED utilization in the Medicaid population. This study contributes to positive social change through the findings that reducing ED utilization requires more than follow-up appointment scheduling with primary care providers. Further studies are warranted to understand the potential barriers and factors that affect ED utilization.

Dental caries is the most prevalent childhood illness and disproportionately affects children from low socioeconomic backgrounds. Dental organizations are collaborating within communities to decrease oral health disparities among children by offering free preventive oral health events. These programs face the problem of low enrollment due to lack of informed parental consent. Also, gaps in the literature indicated the need to examine oral health perceptions and dental-care-seeking practices of culturally diverse low-income parents regarding preventive care for their children. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore the reasons why parents are not allowing their children to participate in the aforementioned programs. This inquiry examined how perceived barriers impede parents from seeking free preventive dental care for their children. The transtheoretical model and social cognitive theory were used in this study. Open-ended questions were used to interview 20 purposefully sampled parents regarding perceptions of free preventive dental care programs until saturation. Interviews were audio recorded, and all data were transcribed verbatim, coded, and analyzed thematically. The main themes revealed through this analysis were lack of trust and cultural dissimilarities as potential barriers. Additional themes of money, fear, lack of insurance, transportation, time, and access to care were also confirmed. This study may contribute to positive social change by increasing knowledge that may inform the development of clinical and policy solutions aimed at improving parents' awareness regarding children's oral health, ultimately enabling a reduction in childhood caries and oral health disparities.

The rising cost of health care in the Philippines is a concern for the Department of Defense and TRICARE beneficiaries. The purpose of this quantitative cross-sectional research study was to determine the efficacy and acceptability of a different method to deliver health care to increase access to health care and decrease out-of-pocket costs while maintaining quality of care for TOP Standard beneficiaries who receive health care under the Philippine Demonstration. Secondary data was used to determine the acceptability of an alternative reimbursement methodology to decrease cost but maintain access to quality care. The Andersen's behavioral health care model and the Donabedian quality health care model were used to interpret the study results. A data set of 180 participants was evaluated using a cross-sectional quantitative methodology. Two Spearman correlations were used to examine the relationship between financial burden and satisfaction (r = .41, p < .001) and financial burden and confidence (r = .44, p < .001). Linear and binary regressions assessed the effects of age and gender on satisfaction with health care finder functionality when requesting a waiver (F (2,26) = 1.22, p = .313, R2 = .09). A computation of one-sample t-tests to determine the impact of a closed network, beneficiary out-of-pocket cost, and quality health care in Demonstration areas found the beneficiaries were satisfied with the demonstration. An analysis of the claims data pre and post demonstration showed a difference in the patients' out-of-pocket expenses and the acceptability and preference for a closed network. Social change was demonstrated by a decrease in the cost for TRICARE standard beneficiaries in the Philippines.

When caregivers defer their personal routine dental care (RDC) in order to provide RDC for their children, they risk detrimental consequences in their personal health and the health of their children. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to identify the risk factors that led to the parental dental deferment decision. The oral health and personal care services conceptual models guided the development of the research questions, facilitated the selection of risk factors on the decision-making process, and provided the basis for the data analysis thematic categories. Ten caregivers who made the decision to defer their personal RDC for the sake of their children's RDC participated in the study. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed thematically. According to the results of the study, the oral health beliefs of caregivers shaped their decision to seek RDC for their children while financial barriers, dental fear, and distrust obstructed their capacity to seek RDC for themselves. Caregivers placed a higher priority on their children's wellbeing--including dental care--than on their own health, despite knowing the association between poor oral health and serious health conditions. These findings indicated, for caregivers, deferring personal RDC was not a lack of desire, education, or care but striving for constant balance between affordability and providing their children with every healthy opportunity in life. The positive social change implications of this study include increasing the proportion of adults receiving RDC yearly through development of targeted interventions that increase caregivers' access to and utilization of dental care services. Such efforts would support the strategies implemented to achieve Healthy People 2020 objectives.

The past few decades have witnessed an increased focus on the importance of oral health on the social, psychological and developmental well-being in children. Although effective and advanced dental prevention measures and treatment options are increasingly available, dental decay remains one of the most common chronic childhood diseases in the United States and around the world. Recently, the World Health Organization Assembly called attention to the significant burden oral disease has maintained in all countries around the world. Additionally, multiple studies have described disparities in oral health with a disproportionate amount of dental disease concentrated in children with special health care needs, those that live with poor families or that live in isolated or rural communities. In response to this issue there has been renewed focus on combating access to oral health care issues. One approach that has been suggested is the utilization of non-dental health professionals in assessing oral health, performing basic preventive steps and referral of high-caries risk children for further care. These non-dental professionals are often in a better position to evaluate children at an early age, are more likely to see poor children early and to provide care for them on a continuing basis when compared to dentists. However, several barriers have been mentioned in the literature that prevent or deter these non-dental health professionals from taking on a more active role in this access to care issue. Of which has been a reported lack in oral care education and training for medical care professionals. Additionally, collectively few studies have specifically identified the importance of different suggested influencing factors. In our present study, three main analyses were conducted. The first analysis assessed the oral-health knowledge, practices, and factors influencing the ability and willingness of Iowa pediatricians' to assess and refer high caries-risk children. In which, a 22-item survey was mailed to all licensed pediatricians in Iowa. Chi-square statistics and logistic regression models were used to analyze data. On questions regarding comfort levels when performing oral-health related practices on children under 3, physicians reported high levels of comfort with all specified issues. The majority of respondents routinely gave the name of a dentist to the caregiver when referring, where as only 4% made use of local care coordination services and only 9% actually made the dental appointment. Sixty-five percent referred all children 12 months or older to a dentist in accordance with AAPD and AAP guidelines. The ability to locate a dentist willing to accept Medicaid or uninsured children was noted as the major referral barrier. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses indicated that pediatricians who had higher frequency of seeing oral-health problems (p=0. 0.0488), greater mean total number of children seen per week (p=0.0431), and believed that children should have their 1st dental visit no later than 12 months of age (p=0.0196) were more likely to make frequent referrals to a dentist compared to their counterparts. The second analyses assessed Saudi medical interns' oral-health knowledge, and other factors influencing their ability and willingness to perform oral-health related practices for high caries-risk children. In which, a 15-item survey was emailed to all eligible graduating fifth year medical students at King Khalid University Hospital to address these areas of interest. Chi-square statistics and logistic regression models were used to analyze data. Similar to our first study physicians noted high levels of comfort with all specified oral health practices. However, students generally rated their medical training fair or poor in preparing them for oral-health assessments compared. Additionally, although 90% of respondents noted that the role of primary physicians in counseling/referring children with oral health was important; 60% did not agree with the AAPD and AAP guidelines that state that all children should be referred to a dentist by 12 months of age. Multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed several statistically significant variables that predict the likelihood of performing various oral-health related practices. The choice of public-health oriented future clinical goals, the level of oral-health knowledge, how interns rated their oral health training in medical school, and the average number of children seen per week, all - to varying degrees - proved important predicator variables for the likelihood of performing them once in practice. In our third study focus was placed on assessing the effectiveness of an electronic educational intervention on improving primary care practitioners' knowledge, willingness, and comfort levels in identifying children who are at high risk for developing dental caries. Following the educational program, a 16-item survey was emailed to all participants to address the areas of interest. Bivariate correlation and linear regression were used to analyze data. Respondents gave a higher percentage of correct responses to the knowledge questions post-intervention compared to pre-intervention with an average increase of 63%. Additionally, nearly all respondents agreed with the statement that all children 12 months and older should be seen by a dentist in accordance the AAP & AAPD. Furthermore, physicians noted improved levels of comfort with all specified oral health practices. Most notable, following the educational intervention, 91% of respondents rated them-selves as comfortable in counseling, compared to only 25.6% that did so before the educational program. The only exception on comfort issues pertained to performing emergency treatments on young children with a majority of interns (92%) still considering themselves as neutral or uncomfortable in doing so. Multiple linear regression analyses revealed several statistically significant variables that predict the likelihood of performing various oral-health related practices. Increased oral health knowledge, higher self-perceived comfort levels and seeing oral-health problems more frequently all proved important predicator variables for the likelihood of performing oral-health related services. Collectively, these three analyses lead us to several main conclusions and future education recommendations. Educating medical practitioners and students about basic oral health recommendations and referral guidelines provides an excellent opportunity to alert medical professionals about the importance and timing of these dental referrals. Ultimately, earlier referrals by physicians can help improve dental utilization among high risk children, especially among lower income and rural families. Additionally, providing these medical professionals with experience opportunities in assessing the oral health of young children may improve both physician willingness and likelihood to perform various oral health practices for young children. Overall, increasing both knowledge and personal experience of training physicians' could lead to greater comfort levels in dealing with oral health issues affecting young children. Furthermore, establishing effective care coordinator services to assist in linking various health care professionals more directly; may also increase physician willingness to assess and refer high-caries-risk children by making the referral process easier for physician offices. This step helps in saving time and effort, two deterrents noted by physicians.

Objective: To determine who avoids the dentist and declines recommended dental treatment due to cost. Methods: A secondary data analysis was undertaken. Weights were utilized to ensure data were nationally representative. Univariate and bivariate descriptive statistics were calculated and logistic regressions were used to observe the characteristics that were predictive of reporting cost barriers to care. Results: Over 17 per cent of the Canadian population reported avoiding a dental professional due to cost, and 16.5 per cent reported declining recommended dental treatment due to cost. These individuals had a higher prevalence of needing treatment, had more untreated decay, missing teeth, and reported having poor oral health and oral pain often. Having no insurance, lower income, and reporting “poor to fair” oral health were the greatest predictors of reporting cost barriers to care. Conclusions: Individuals who report cost barriers experience more disease and treatment needs than those who do not.

Objective: To determine who avoids the dentist and declines recommended dental treatment due to cost. Methods: A secondary data analysis was undertaken. Weights were utilized to ensure data were nationally representative. Univariate and bivariate descriptive statistics were calculated and logistic regressions were used to observe the characteristics that were predictive of reporting cost barriers to care. Results: Over 17 per cent of the Canadian population reported avoiding a dental professional due to cost, and 16.5 per cent reported declining recommended dental treatment due to cost. These individuals had a higher prevalence of needing treatment, had more untreated decay, missing teeth, and reported having poor oral health and oral pain often. Having no insurance, lower income, and reporting “poor to fair” oral health were the greatest predictors of reporting cost barriers to care. Conclusions: Individuals who report cost barriers experience more disease and treatment needs than those who do not.

Ghana, a low-income developing country in sub-Saharan Africa is experiencing low maternal health service utilization and high rates of maternal mortality, especially in the rural areas. The Talensi-Nabdam District is one of the poorest and most remote districts in Ghana. The reproductive health status of women in the most remote communities in this District is poor. Dialogue about women’s reproductive health care needs in Ghana have been influenced by health care authorities, professionals, researchers and experts’ perceptions. The purpose of this ethnographic research was to explore rural Ghanaian women’s experiences of seeking reproductive health care from their own perspectives. The study was based on data collected from participant observations, unstructured face-to-face interviews and focus group discussions. A total of 27 women of varying socio-demographic backgrounds participated in the study. Interviews were conducted at locations of the women’s choice and in women’s local dialect. Data were translated and transcribed verbatim, and analyzed thematically. Four major themes emerged from the findings: submitting to the voices of family, women’s experiences of receiving nursing care, the community of gossip, and gaining voice. The findings of this study have implications for nursing practice, education and nursing inquiry. Awareness of barriers that rural women encounter in meeting their reproductive health care needs among health care providers is important in facilitating positive health care seeking behaviours. Nurse educators should orient themselves to the challenges to meeting women’s health care needs, and include in culturally sensitive approaches in nursing education programs. Further research is needed to investigate strategies that will enhance women’s reproductive health care seeking behaviours in rural settings and to focus on women’s perspectives in particular. In addition, research is needed to examine nurses’ perspectives on factors that influence quality care delivery to address women’s reproductive health issues.