“I lost my first tooth here”: Syrian former refugees’ experiences of oral healthcare in Dunedin, New Zealand

Abstract

aim: Oral health conditions are highly prevalent among former refugees; however, little is known about their experiences of accessing dental care. We aimed to explore Syrian former refugees’ experiences of oral healthcare in New Zealand. method: Thirty-nine Syrian former refugees resettled in Dunedin, New Zealand participated in nine focus group discussions. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed. results: Almost all participants reported motivation to care for their teeth but multiple factors facilitated or hindered their ability to address their oral health needs, including financial factors, communication issues and dental care provider cultural safety. Most participants arrived with high expectations of New Zealand’s health system. conclusion: Oral healthcare providers and policymakers need to expect and accept their patients’ past experiences and emotions, and consider their cultures, languages and backgrounds.