Factors influencing use of oral health services?

Factors influencing use of oral health services?

A deeper understanding of factors that influence consumers to use of health services will help policy decision makers create policies that are inclusive and present no barriers to access. They will also help managers to better identify the service needs of the population, to target and tailor services accordingly.
There are actions that program managers and planners, policy makers, and the public can take to improve health care for low-income consumers. These actions include the following:

A significant number of people live in poverty. This is an issue of increasing importance to policy makers and service providers. Poverty affects health status and life expectancy, and limits activities. Poverty also affects health services use. Is important to service managers and policy makers because of these factors, as well as factors relating to the organization of health services, the way services are distributed, and the gaps in knowledge about determinants of services use among the poor.

There are unanimous agreement that strategies for improving health should be more preventive, focusing on systemic changes that address major determinants of health such as income and housing. Other strategies are: intersect oral action (at higher levels), better integration and co-ordination of services at the community level, staff sensitivity training, redefining poverty, increased accessibility and promotion of (free) programs, and greater consumer input.

Service managers and program planners should:
-Increase accessibility, Improve quality of service, Improve ways for the public to have input into service delivery for low-income people, Communication better about services and people's entitlements to those services........................
Policy makers should:
-Focus more on broad determinants of health and meet basic needs by:
Increasing income levels, in ways such as guaranteed income, changing social assistance rates
Providing good, affordable housing
Improving subsidies for basic needs........................

Take care as always!