Systematic Review

Year : 2024 | Volume : 12 | Issue : 2 | Page : 50-57

Barriers to Utilization of Dental Care Services Among Culturally Diverse Migrant Construction Laborers: A Systematic Review

Kesavan R1*, Vinita Mary A1 Srisakthi D2

1 Professor, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Thai Moogambigai Dental College and Hospital, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India 2 Professor, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Saveetha Dental College and Hospital, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Address for Correspondence:

Dr. Kesavan R

Thai Moogambigai Dental College and Hospital, Chennai

Email id: - keshavan84@gmail.com

Abstract

Introduction: Access to dental care services is a vital aspect of overall health and well-being, yet it is not equally available to all populations. Cultural and language differences are significant barriers to dental care for migrant construction labourers. Many migrants come from countries with healthcare systems that operate differently from those in their host country, leading to misunderstandings or mistrust of the healthcare system. Aim is to assess and observe the barriers to the utilization of dental care services among culturally diverse migrant construction labourers.

Materials and methods: This systematic review was conducted following the standards outlined in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA) guidelines and the PRISMA declaration. The Randomized and Non randomized trials among the migrant laborer’s population, studies that provided basic dental care to migration workers and among different populations were included. The review trials were excluded, grey literature, Cross-sectional or observational studies and studies done on the elderly were excluded. The sources of systematic reviews were Pubmed, Google Scholar and Cochrane.

Results: From an initial search yielding 124 articles, 4 duplicates were excluded. Screening based on titles led to the exclusion of 75 articles. Automation tools identified 3 articles as ineligible. After reviewing abstracts, 32 articles were excluded. Full texts could not be retrieved for 4 articles. Ultimately, 5 articles did not meet the inclusion criteria, resulting in 1 article that was included in the study.

Conclusion: Due to the low quality of evidence and high risk of bias, a definitive conclusion could not be reached. However, as per the included study, there was significant relevance for barriers to the utilization of dental care services and the socioeconomic status of the migrant construction labourers.

Financial support and sponsorship

Nil

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest

How to Cite this article: Kesavan R, Vinita Mary A and Srisakthi D. Barriers to Utilization of Dental Care Services Among Culturally Diverse Migrant Construction Laborers: A Systematic Review. Int J Comm Dent 2024.12(2);50 -57. https://doi.org/10.56501/intjcommunitydent.v12i2.1171