BUGSDM Refugee Oral Health Research Published in American Journal of Public Health
The study, “Oral Health Status of Refugee Torture Survivors Seeking Care in the United States,” by Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine (BUGSDM) Clinical Instructor Harpreet K. Singh, RDH, MS, Professor and Assistant Dean for Community Partnerships and Extramural Affairs Dr. Michelle Henshaw, DDS, MPH, Clinical Instructor Susan Cote, RDH, MS, and Instructor Thayer Scott, MPH was published in the December 2008 issue of the American Journal of Public Health. Boston University School of Medicine Assistant Professor Linda A. Piwowarczyk, MD, MPH and Professor Michael A. Grodin, MD also assisted in the research.
The study assessed the oral health status of 216 refugee torture survivors seeking care at the Boston Center for Refugee Health and Human Rights between February 2002 and September 2006.
Study participants perceived their dental health as poor or fair and approximately 90% required immediate or near-immediate dental care.
“In adapting to their new life, torture survivors typically encounter life-changing issues, including the need to meet their basic psychosocial needs; as a result, they may view their oral health as a low priority,” said Dr. Henshaw. “However, poor oral health affects one’s physical, psychological, and social well-being, as well as one’s quality of life. Torture treatment centers offer an environment in which educated dental professionals sensitive to the needs of torture survivors can provide oral health services without the risk of retraumatization, or a referral can be made to a dentist who understands the needs of these individuals.”
Boston Center for Refugee Health and Human Rights is one of approximately 30 torture treatment centers in the United States and the only center that provides oral health services.
“This is a wonderful accomplishment for the BUGSDM faculty members involved in this study,” said Dean Jeffrey Hutter. “Having their work recognized and printed in such a prestigious publication is another great example of the high caliber of work that takes place at our School.”