Barriers and Facilitators to Oral Health Assessment and Referral by Non‐Dental Healthcare Professionals in Primary Health Centres: A Qualitative Study
Amitha Basheer N., Praveen Jodalli, Shishir Ram Shetty, Ashwini Rao, Avinash B. R.Introduction
Non‐dental healthcare professionals (NDHPs) are strategically positioned to support the early identification, prevention and referral of oral health problems within the primary healthcare system. However, oral health assessments are not routinely incorporated into primary health centres (PHCs), particularly in settings without regular dental services.
Objective
This study explored NDHPs’ experiences and perspectives regarding oral health assessment, prevention and referral in PHCs.
Methods
An exploratory qualitative study was conducted among 14 NDHPs selected from one urban and one rural PHC in Mangalore, South India. Participants included community health officers (CHOs), auxiliary nurse midwives (ANMs), and physicians, selected using purposive sampling. Individual face‐to‐face, semi‐structured interviews were conducted. The interviews were audio‐recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed inductively using Braun and Clarke’s six‐phase thematic analysis approach.
Results
Five major themes emerged: current practices, knowledge gaps, barriers, facilitators, and training and resource needs. Oral health assessment was reported to be largely opportunistic, with limited training, confidence, assessment resources, and referral pathways identified as key challenges. Community trust and willingness to participate in oral health training were important facilitators. The findings informed a preliminary identify‐prevent‐refer (IPR) conceptual framework for integrating oral health into primary healthcare.
Conclusion
Despite gaps in training, resources, and referral pathways, NDHPs demonstrated a willingness to contribute to oral health assessment. The preliminary IPR framework provides a conceptual approach to integrating oral health identification, prevention and referral within the primary healthcare system. Further evaluation across diverse settings is warranted.