Abstract
Young carers; those under 18 years, caring for someone with a condition or disability, are a hard to reach and vulnerable group in society. They provide valuable care that can sometimes compromise their own wellbeing, including their dental care.
Aims: This pilot study aimed to explore the barriers young carers face with their oral health. Before structured focus groups could be arranged, themes around inequity issues to accessing care, barriers to good oral health and experiences of oral care needed to be explored. Within Surrey, an area in the South East of England, 6% of primary and secondary school children identify as young carers.
Method: A member of the Surrey County Council public health team who was a general dental practitioner attended a young carers forum. The session was part of an activities and social evening, informal in nature. Pictures were used to highlight key topics, and discussion was informal and interactive. Topics included self-care, oral care for a relative, accessing a dentist and emergency dental care. At the end of the session young carers were asked about personal dental access and the person they care for, emergency care and dental anxiety.
Results: Eight carers attended aged between 8-10 years. Five children regularly attended a dentist with their families, while the rest of the group did not have a dentist or had only ever attended once. The main barriers around access were travel, dental anxiety and looking after relatives with disabilities. Most of the children had heard of NHS 111 (telephone helpline) but were not aware it could be used for advice on dental emergencies. Five children knew to call the dentist or tell a family/friend if they were in pain. All participants found the session engaging and useful.
Conclusion: Although the sample was small, the session highlighted the need for further research into barriers to care faced by young carers. This group is unique as they not only have to be aware of their own oral health needs, but that of the relative for whom they care. Oral health interventions need to target both hard to reach groups and should aim to improve equity in access to services. Oral health information has now been placed on a national young careers website.
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