Facilitators for use of oral healthcare services among people with substance use disorders: a qualitative study in Norway

Abstract

Objective

Opioid maintenance treatment (OMT) patients in Norway are eligible for free oral healthcare services; however, oral health morbidity remains high and the uptake of services among this patient group is low. As knowledge of the reasons for the low uptake of services among OMT patients is insufficient, this study adopted a qualitative approach to explore this from the perspectives of patients and dental healthcare workers (DHWs).

Material and methods

Through focus group and individual interviews, data were collected from 63 participants: 30 patients receiving OMT and 33 DHWs. Key themes were identified through a thematic analysis.

Results

Teeth were a significant factor in OMT patients’ quality of life and recovery. Accompaniment to scheduled dentist appointments was identified as a facilitator by both the patients and the DHWs. The dentist-patient relationship was also seen as an important facilitator of dental treatment; DHWs with previous experience of treating OMT patients were valued by patients because of their high verbal and non-verbal communication.

Conclusions

Helping OMT patients attend dental appointments, improving the dentist-patient relationship, and expanding stakeholders’ knowledge of OMT patients’ right to oral healthcare services may increase the uptake and benefits of dental healthcare services among OMT patients. The current support framework within the OMT system has the potential to increase the communication and efficiency of dental healthcare services available to patients undergoing OMT.