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Facilitators and Barriers to Dental Care Among Mexican Migrant Women and Their Families in North San Diego County

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Abstract

To qualitatively examine facilitators and barriers to dental care access and quality services among Mexican migrant women and their families living in North San Diego County, California. Six focus groups were conducted, with 52 participants. Three focus groups were with community residents (average group size of 10), and three were with community health workers/leaders (called Lideres; average group size of 7). The behavioral model for vulnerable populations theoretical framework guided qualitative data analyses. Predisposing factors to dental care access varied and included immigration status, language, and dental care experiences. Barriers to accessing quality dental services included high cost, lack of insurance coverage, dissatisfaction with providers, long wait times and discrimination. Participants expressed a desire for health policy changes, including affordable coverage for immigrants and their families. This study provided insights into how dental care providers, community health centers, and policymakers can improve dental care access and services to migrant populations.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by a planning grant funded by the DentaQuest Foundation in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Community Committee through the Oral Health Initiative.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, 92182, USA

    Diane Velez & Tracy L. Finlayson

  2. Vista Community Clinic, Vista, CA, 92084, USA

    Ana Palomo-Zerfas

  3. National Latino Research Center, California State University San Marcos, San Marcos, CA, 92096, USA

    Arcela Nunez-Alvarez

  4. College of Health and Human Services, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, 92182, USA

    Guadalupe X. Ayala

  5. Institute for Behavioral and Community Health, 9245 Sky Park Court, Suite 221, San Diego, CA, 92123, USA

    Guadalupe X. Ayala & Tracy L. Finlayson

Authors
  1. Diane Velez
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  2. Ana Palomo-Zerfas
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  3. Arcela Nunez-Alvarez
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  4. Guadalupe X. Ayala
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  5. Tracy L. Finlayson
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Tracy L. Finlayson.

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Conflict of interest

Author Finlayson, Palomo-Zerfas, and Nunez-Alvarez received research grant support from the DentaQuest Foundation to conduct this study. Authors Velez and Ayala declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical Approval

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

Informed Consent

Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

Additional information

Ana Palomo-Zerfas was previously with Vista Community Clinic.

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Velez, D., Palomo-Zerfas, A., Nunez-Alvarez, A. et al. Facilitators and Barriers to Dental Care Among Mexican Migrant Women and Their Families in North San Diego County. J Immigrant Minority Health 19, 1216–1226 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-016-0467-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-016-0467-2

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