1. Quantitative findings
A total of 270 parents participated. The majority (48.5%) of the respondents were mothers. The mean age of the children was 8.08±2.24 years. A total of 54.8% had one sibling and 30% had two or more siblings. When the parents were classified based on their educational levels, 59.2% of the mothers and 61.9% of the fathers had a high school diploma or higher.
One in every two mothers was a homemaker (52.6%), while 40.7% of the fathers were salaried workers. According to the results, 46.3% of the families had a monthly income between the minimum wage and double the minimum wage, while 18.9% had a monthly income below the minimum wage. Of the participants, 9.6% had systemic diseases, 1.5% had disabilities (autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome), and 6.3% regularly took medication.
Most children (66.3%) had visited a dentist before the pandemic. When asked if they had a regular dentist or dental institution, 38.9% of the participants stated that they routinely applied to university dental clinics, 13.3% to public dental centres, and 7.4% to private dental clinics while 33.7% answered that they did not have any regular dentists or dental institutions.
Out of a total of 217 children who needed oral healthcare during the pandemic, 185 of them applied to dental institutions. The total number of applications was 257 (Figure 1). Of the 257 applications, 62.3% were unable to access the service, while 37.7% were able to do so. Table 2 displays the applicants' socioeconomic information and access status.
Table 2. The percentages of applications which resulted in access based on patients' sociodemographic characteristics
Patients' characteristics
|
No Access
|
Access
|
Total
|
p- value
|
n
|
%
|
n
|
%
|
Gender
|
Female
|
85
|
64.0
|
50
|
37.0
|
135
|
0.898
|
Male
|
75
|
61.5
|
47
|
38.5
|
122
|
Age group
|
0-6 years
|
38
|
63.3
|
22
|
36.7
|
60
|
0.771
|
7-9 years
|
68
|
64.2
|
38
|
35.8
|
106
|
Above 10 years
|
54
|
59.3
|
37
|
40.7
|
91
|
Number of siblings
|
0
|
27
|
60.0
|
18
|
40.0
|
45
|
0.067
|
1
|
88
|
57.9
|
64
|
42.10
|
152
|
2 or more
|
45
|
75.0
|
15
|
25.0
|
60
|
Education level of mother
|
Secondary school graduate or lower education
|
71
|
67.6
|
34
|
32.4
|
105
|
0.017
|
High school graduate
|
61
|
66.3
|
31
|
33.7
|
92
|
University graduate or higher
|
28
|
46.7
|
32
|
53.3
|
60
|
Education level of father
|
Secondary school graduate or lower education
|
72
|
72.7
|
27
|
27.3
|
99
|
0.022
|
High school graduate
|
48
|
57.1
|
36
|
42.9
|
84
|
University graduate or higher
|
40
|
54.1
|
34
|
45.9
|
84
|
Having a steady job with regular income (mother)
|
No
|
130
|
64.7
|
71
|
35.3
|
201
|
0.160
|
Yes
|
30
|
53.6
|
26
|
46.4
|
56
|
Having a steady job with regular income (father)
|
No
|
36
|
83.7
|
7
|
16.3
|
43
|
0.002
|
Yes
|
124
|
57.9
|
90
|
42.1
|
214
|
Monthly income of the family
|
Lower than one National Minimum Wage
|
48
|
72.7
|
18
|
27.3
|
66
|
0.043
|
Between one and two National Minimum Wages
|
71
|
64.0
|
40
|
36.0
|
111
|
Between two and three National Minimum Wages
|
25
|
55.6
|
20
|
44.4
|
45
|
More than three National Minimum Wages
|
16
|
45.7
|
19
|
54.3
|
35
|
Total
|
|
160
|
62.3
|
97
|
37.7
|
257
|
|
There was a statistically significant difference in the access levels for those children whose parents had graduated from high school or higher. Despite the lack of significant findings on the impact of the mother's employment status, the analysis revealed a significantly higher likelihood of access for those children whose fathers held a steady job with a regular income. A positive relation was observed between the monthly income level of the household and the percentage of access to dental services. This relationship was found to be statistically significant.
The institutions to which individuals applied and their access were significantly associated. While applications to private institutions and university hospitals were successful inaccessing dental services (58%), a considerably higher percentage of applications to public dental centres did not result in access (77.5%) (Table 3).
Table 3. The institutions being applied to and status of access
Dental clinic
|
No Access
|
Access
|
Test statistics
|
n (%)
|
n (%)
|
Private dental clinics
|
29 (42.0)
|
40 (58.0)
|
34.373
p<0.05
|
Public dental centres
|
114 (77.5)
|
33 (22.5)
|
University dental clinics
|
17 (41.5)
|
24 (58.5)
|
Total
|
160 (62.3)
|
97 (37.7)
|
In the logistic regression model, the "no access" group served as the reference (Table 4). The model's goodness of fit was assessed using the Hosmer-Lemeshow test, and the results showed that the model and the data were compatible (p=0.947). The model explanation rate was calculated using Nagelkerke R2 and found to be 23.6%.
Table 4. Multivariable analysis of determinants of access to oral healthcare for children during the pandemic
|
Beta
|
S.E.
|
Wald
|
p
|
O.R.
|
95% C.I.
|
Variable (Reference)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lower bound
|
Upper bound
|
Institutions that applied to (Public dental centres)
|
|
|
27.936
|
0.000*
|
|
|
|
University dental clinics
|
1.566
|
0.386
|
16.422
|
0.000*
|
4.788
|
2.245
|
10.211
|
Private dental clinics
|
1.467
|
0.323
|
20.579
|
0.000*
|
4.336
|
2.300
|
8.171
|
Father having a steady job with regular income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
No
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Yes
|
1.221
|
0.460
|
7.057
|
0.008*
|
3.391
|
1.377
|
8.349
|
Child had been to dentist before the pandemic
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
No
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Yes
|
0.863
|
0.341
|
6.415
|
0.011*
|
2.371
|
1.216
|
4.623
|
Constant
|
-2.913
|
0.542
|
28.888
|
0.000*
|
0.054
|
|
|
Hosmer-Lemeshow; X2= 1.675 and p=0.947
|
Cox and Snell R2= 0.174 and Nagelkerke R2= 0.236
|
Correct classification rate=70.4
|
*p<0.05, S.E.=Standard Error, O.R.=Odds Ratio, Ref.=Reference, C.I.=Confidence Interval
The model accurately predicted 70.4% of the data when preparing the classification table. Regression analysis revealed that there was a statistically significant link between access and the institution applied to, the father's employment status, and having seen a dentist before the pandemic. The findings showed that patients who applied to a university hospital had a 4.788 times higher chance of accessing the service compared to those who applied to a public dental hospital. Similarly, those patients who applied to a private institution had a 4.336 times greater chance of receiving dental care than those who applied to a public dental hospital. The presence of a parent with a steady job significantly enhanced the probability of their child accessing dental services by a factor of 3.391. Those children who had previously seen a dentist before the pandemic showed a 2.371-fold increase in their probability of accessing dental services during the pandemic in comparison to those who had not had any prior dental visits. The confidence intervals of the odds ratios for all variables which exhibited significance in the model were found to exceed the value of 1, thereby providing evidence for their statistical significance.
2. Qualitative findings
Based on the analysed interviews, the determinants of access to oral healthcare were categorized into seven dimensions.
2.1 Ability to perceive dental needs
All parents stated that their children had been experiencing oral health problems since before the pandemic. Most of them said that their children did not brush their teeth often and pointed to the excessive consumption of junk food during the pandemic.
"It was very challenging for them to stay at home during the pandemic. As they stayed at home, their oral health got worse as they constantly ate junk food. Dental problems have increased throughout this pandemic..." (Mother of two children with poor oral hygiene habits)
2.2 Ability to seek oral health care
Eleven parents stated that they had applied to various institutions prior to the start of the pandemic. Among these patients, the majority were those who regularly applied to public dental centres and university dental clinics. Three parents stated that they postponed applying to these institutions due to the risk of COVID-19 transmission, while three parents stated that they tried to continue their dental treatment despite the pandemic. The parents of children with disabilities stated that they faced greater challenges due to their children’s susceptibility to infections and their inability to seek treatment, resulting in an exacerbation of their pre-existing dental problems.
“I couldn't take my child anywhere since she had a fever and seizures shortly after the infection. It was extremely difficult to take her out in such a period.” (Homemaker, mother of a child with an intellectual disability)
Several parents expressed their lack of trust in private dental institutions, primarily due to their profit-orientation and inadequate hygiene measures during the pandemic. However, one parent claimed that they considered private institutions to be safer in terms of hygiene practices and pandemic measures. Some parents claimed that being able to communicate with their regular dentist facilitated access during the lockdown period. Parents claimed that being unable to access their regular dentist had a negative impact on their children's motivation towards the dentist and the treatment process.
"My children kept asking why our regular dentist was absent. … They draw pictures for her, it is very important to see someone familiar there." (Highly educated mother of two children who have regular dentists)
2.3 Ability to reach oral healthcare
Long travel times, long distances, and the challenges of using public transportation were the most commonly expressed transportation problems. Two parents considered public transportation to be risky in terms of infections, particularly during the time of the pandemic, while one parent stated that they had problems due to the public transportation restrictions during the pandemic period. The parents of those children with disabilities spoke about the difficulties they faced when using public transportation for their child's special needs.
"It takes 1.5 hours to get here.... Think about traveling alone in the dark as a woman with two children." (Single parent, working mother with two children, living in a suburban area)
" I struggled a lot yesterday on my way to the dental clinic with the wheelchair. We didn't have any private car. … You'd cry if you saw me." (Mother of a child with an intellectual disability having dental pain from a low socioeconomic background)
2.4 Availability & accommodation of dental services
According to the parents, the absence of dentists caused disruptions in the delivery of oral healthcare. The constant absence of their regular dentists forced parents to seek care from other dentists or institutions. This was determined to be due to the inclusion of dentists in the filiation teams which were responsible for testing and tracing COVID-19 cases during the pandemic.
The most frequently addressed problem with appointments was the inability to get one. During the pandemic period, the appointment quota quickly filled up. Despite physically reaching the institution, many parents expressed their dissatisfaction at not receiving any curative treatment. Seven of them experienced that situation in public dental centres, two in university hospitals, and one in private institutions. The inadequate number of dentists, a lack of interest among healthcare professionals, and the fact that elective dental procedures were not performed within the scope of pandemic measures were among the reasons given in public dental centres.
"Why did they leave public dental clinics abandoned? …. Children are neglected by the oral healthcare system... I am frustrated in every way, from scheduling an appointment to receiving treatment. We have yet to access care " (Mother of four children, income loss due to the pandemic, applied to multiple public dental centres)
“Public dental centres have been useless since the pandemic started... The doctor said, open your mouth, he glanced at it from the doorway, without allowing my child to sit in the dental chair. He gave the prescription and sent us away" (Mother of 7-year-old girl experiencing dental pain, applied to multiple public dental centres)
"Why are public dental centres open if we can't get any service?" (Father of a child who had dental pain, living in another city)
The parents of those children with disabilities stated that, despite applying to various institutions, they were unable to receive dental treatment under general anaesthesia from public dental centres or university hospitals. Long waiting times and inadequate facilities forced then to apply to different institutions.
2.5 Affordability and the parents’ ability to pay for oral healthcare
Eight of the parents mentioned that they had financial difficulties in paying for dental treatment at private institutions. Three parents said that they had lost financial income because of the pandemic. One parent said that they were struggling to cover additional expenses (transportation, material fees) in public dental centres.
" The problem I have right now is the constant purchases (mask and gloves). When I bring both of my children together, I must pay double. It is difficult for a family with a low income like mine." (Mother of three children with early childhood caries, regularly visiting university clinics, low socioeconomic level)
The parent of a special needs child, facing income loss due to the pandemic, discussed their child’s unmet dental need for treatment under general anaesthesia.
Despite seeking assistance from public dental centres and universities, they were rejected. However, they could not afford the expenses associated with private clinics.
“We live in a house with a wood stove, no gas supply. My husband works alone, and we have three children. … My husband applied for a loan to take our son to private clinics; we have a lot of debt because of the pandemic. We could not receive the loan. I was desperate." (Homemaker, mother of a child with a disability, income loss due to the pandemic)
2.6 Appropriateness of services
A total of eight parents reported experiencing a range of communication problems. Five participants reported experiencing difficulties when engaging in dialogues with dentists and facing aggressive behaviour from healthcare professionals.
“ 'Don't give me any paediatric patients; do I have to yell?' said the doctor to the secretary next to him. He had an unusual demeanour." (Father of a child who had dental pain, living in another city)
The caregivers of children with disabilities said that they experienced additional challenges due to their children's inability to express their complaints independently. Most institutions exhibited a dentist's reluctance to care for children with disabilities, resulting in the postponement or delay of essential dental interventions. One parent expressed the psychological crisis she experienced because of her child’s unmet dental needs.
“Many of the doctors said that she had too many concurrent medical problems, so they postponed their dental treatment. I even met a doctor who slapped my child's hand. … Then you come home, you feel desperate. You are experiencing a breakdown and grappling with familial issues." (Homemaker, mother of a child with a disability, applied to multiple clinics)
2.7 Outcomes of inadequate access to oral healthcare
· Applying to multiple institutions
Parents stated that they applied to different institutions because they could not gain access to care. The main reasons for this were not being able to reach their regular dentist, not being able to make an appointment, and not receiving the proper treatment. The reasons for referrals to university hospitals were having children with special needs, healthy children who needed pharmacologic behaviour guidance techniques, or the need for root canal treatment. Parents expressed their grievances by applying to multiple institutions.
" 'You should go to university hospitals for root canal treatment' they said. This is ridiculous. Are the dentists in public health centres only trained to do fillings? They graduated from the same school, they had the same education." (Highly educated mother of 2 children who had root canal treatment needs)
The lack of access to dental services in public dental centres compelled parents to seek care in private clinics. The most common reasons for choosing private clinics were the need of emergency treatment, the inability to make an appointment in public dental centres, and not having any treatment carried out when visiting public institutions.
"People visit private clinics out of necessity." (Mother of four children experiencing dental caries, income loss due to the pandemic)
· Increase in oral health related problems and the search for solutions
Parents reported an increase in dental complaints in their children, particularly dental pain and abscesses, due to poor access during the pandemic. They tried to relieve the pain at home using various herbal methods. Seven parents reported an increase in the use of antibiotics and painkillers due to worsening oral health problems. One of them said, "Painkillers became a part of our lives." Some parents stated that they did not have enough information about the medicines, doses, and regimens.
"We tried everything we could at home, including applying garlic." (Mother of three children, low socioeconomic background)
The parents of those children with disabilities expressed their frustration at being unable to pinpoint the source of their child's pain, conveying feelings of deep depression and helplessness in the face of this challenge.
".... My child was crying out of pain. We were crying together." (Mother of a child with autism)
“The world appeared completely dark to me. I crumbled as I attempted to fight. My child was suffering in front of my eyes, and I was powerless to stop it." (Mother of a 7-year-old child with an intellectual disability)