Spanish‐speaking Mexican‐American parents' experiences while navigating the dental care system for their children

• Published in: Journal of public health dentistry Vol. 82; no. 1; pp. 99 - 104
• Main Authors: Lopez, Andrea, Hoeft, Kristin S., Guerra, Claudia, Barker, Judith C., Chung, Lisa H., Burke, Nancy J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken, USA John Wiley & Sons, Inc 2022; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: appointments; Caregivers; Child; Child, Preschool; Children; delivery of health care; Dental Care; Dental insurance; Health care; Health education; Health literacy; Hispanic or Latino; Humans; Mexican Americans; Oral Health; oral health literacy; Oral hygiene; Parents; schedules; caregivers; appointments; health literacy; dental care; schedules; oral health; delivery of health care; oral health literacy; Mexican-Americans; child
• ISSN: 0022-4006; 1752-7325
• DOI: 10.1111/jphd.12495

Objectives The purpose of this study is to describe Mexican‐American parents' experiences navigating the dental care system for their children. Methods Thirty in‐depth qualitative interviews were conducted with Spanish‐speaking caregivers of young children in an urban county of Northern California, asking about their experiences navigating dental care for their children. Interviews were digitally recorded, translated, transcribed, coded, and analyzed using standard qualitative procedures. Results Caregivers reported challenges that highlight how various aspects of navigating the health care system are elemental to oral health literacy. These included making appointments, finding a provider they trust, using their dental insurance, and communicating with the dental care provider. Conclusions When addressing oral health literacy, it is important to consider the navigational components to improve children's oral health literacy.