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. 2024 Jan 17;9(Suppl 1):2-10.
doi: 10.25646/11844. eCollection 2024 Jan.

Utilisation of dental services by refugees in Germany: Results of the population-based RESPOND survey

Kayvan Bozorgmehr  1   2 , Maren Hintermeier  1   2 , Louise Biddle  1   3 , Claudia Hövener  4 , Nora Gottlieb  1
Affiliations

Utilisation of dental services by refugees in Germany: Results of the population-based RESPOND survey

Kayvan Bozorgmehr et al. J Health Monit. .

Abstract

Background: The utilisation of outpatient dental services is an important indicator for monitoring healthcare provision in Germany. In the general population, the 12-month prevalence of dental service utilization is 82.2 %. For refugees, this indicator has hardly been measured, although studies suggest an objectively high need for dental care.

Methodology: As part of the population-based cross-sectional RESPOND study (2018), self-reported health and healthcare, including the use of dental services, was assessed in three representative, random samples of refugees residing in reception and shared accommodation centres in Baden-Württemberg and Berlin.

Results: The indicator was available for 68.8 % (594) of the 863 surveyed refugees. Overall, 38.2 % of the respondents stated that they had utilised dental services in the previous 12 months, whereas 41.4 % had never used any dental care in Germany.

Conclusions: The utilisation of dental services among refugees is very low compared to the level of utilisation in the general population. It reflects a discrepancy between access and needs.

Keywords: DENTAL CARE; HEALTH MONITORING; REFUGEES; SURVEY; UTILISATION.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

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