Oral health and the economic crisis in Greece - a qualitative approach

OBJECTIVE Depiction of the consequences of the economic crisis on the oral health status of the general population in Greece through interviews with dental health professionals. METHOD The dental health care professionals (dentists and nurses) who participated in the study are employed in the public and private sectors and in non-governmental organizations (NGOs), to ensure a broad investigation. A qualitative methodological approach and conventional thematic content analysis were used to explore the views of the dental health professionals. Feasibility sampling was carried out, and a semi-structured interview was conducted, followed by coding, data analysis, and examination and interpretation of the results. RESULTS A reduction in dental care benefits was observed in the Primary Health Care System, resulting from lack of staff and logistical support. Lack of family resources results in a decrease in private health spending, with neglect of both treatment and screening of the condition of the teeth. Due to the financial crisis, the majority of Greeks choose only treatment of pain and avoid preventative or other dental services. There is a clear distinction between those who have work and those who do not; the former are able to access health services with more ease, while the latter turn to social care and NGOs. The economic crisis has affected the elderly population and young children to a greater degree, because of the high cost of prosthetic and orthodontic work, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The economic crisis and the subsequent income reduction and poverty are related to the current low level of dental health. The deficiency of the logistics infrastructure leads to a decline in the public provision of dental care services, while a greater proportion of the population seeks the care provided by social services. The economic crisis has affected mostly the elderly and socially vulnerable population groups. Measures to safeguard their oral health are necessary.