5944 Factors associated with low dental service attendance among children in the UK

Objectives The aim of this systematic review was to highlight factors contributing to low dental service attendance among preschool and primary school aged children in the UK. Methods A systematic review was conducted using biomedical and social science databases and grey literature searching. All papers were screened against pre-defined eligibility criteria. Data was extracted and critical appraisal of the literature was conducted using Joanna Briggs critical appraisal frameworks. A narrative approach for synthesis of findings following synthesis without meta-analysis (SWiM) guidelines was taken. Studies were grouped for synthesis guided by themes from a conceptual framework for examining healthcare access and navigation. Results In total 12 articles were selected meeting the pre-defined eligibility criteria; eight were cross sectional in design, two performed secondary analysis, one was a cohort study, and one a retrospective longitudinal cohort study with no comparison group.¹–¹² Findings revealed a diverse range of factors contributing to dental attendance among preschool and primary school aged children in the UK. The majority of papers in this review found associations between socioeconomic and demographic factors and attendance; with children of white ethnicity and from higher socioeconomic groups reported as more regular dental attendees. Other factors included areas of higher deprivation associated with reduced dental attendance and motivation factors, with dental anxiety and dentist communication and respect for patients impacting an individual or parental decision to attend. Findings from this review also suggest that access to dentists did not appear to be the main factor impacting attendance in two papers. Conclusion This systematic review was the first to collate and analyse evidence on factors affecting attendance to dental services among preschool and primary school aged children in the UK. The review identified that socioeconomic, demographic, motivation and provider factors can all impact dental attendance. This review recommended ensuring future policies are more specific and include strategies that target at-risk groups identified in this review. Furthermore, an education campaign to increase awareness on the importance of regular dental attendance for children to improve motivation factors was suggested. These recommendations aim to improve dental attendance and in turn oral health outcomes for children in the UK. References Eldridge K, Gallagher JE. International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry, 2000. Filipponi T, et al. British Dental Journal, 2018. Crawford AN, Lennon MA. Community Dental Health, 1992;9:289–294. Mikami Y, et al. International Dental Journal, 1999. Rodd HD, et al. European Journal of Paediatric Dentistry, 2002. Morris AJ, et al. British Dental Journal, 2006. Almutairi S, et al. Community Dental Health, 2021. Gratrix D, et al. British Dental Journal, 1990. Salomon-Ibarra CC, et al. Community Dental Health, 2020. Coxon JD, et al. British Dental Journal, 2019. Keene EJ, et al. International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry, 2015. Hawley GM, et al. British Dental Journal, 1996.