Darlene’s Blog

Question 3.

a. What is a health promotion intervention you envision yourself completing in the future? Why are you interested in this?

I am interested in working with multicultural groups such as refugees and asylum seekers in preventing the manifestations of oral health complications. I am interested in this as my extended family in the Philippines suffers from a lack of oral health education and therefore has resulted in tooth decay and other oral health issues. Since myriads of asylum seekers and refugees are originally from 3^rd world countries or countries that lack basic human rights and access to public dental/ medical services.

b. Aside from a formal intervention, how will you incorporate your knowledge gained from this subject into your clinical practice as an OHT?

The knowledge gained from 204 will ultimately enable me to become a culturally competent and culturally sensitive OHT. For example, when I have Indigenous Australian patients, I will ensure that my communication is respectful and ensure that they feel safe and comfortable in the dental environment. I will also take into consideration the history of Indigenous Australians within Australia. Additionally, I will be empathetic towards patients since they are not always in control and their social determinants play a major factor in their attitudes and behaviors towards their oral health.

1. Research the term “deficit discourse” and explain your understanding of this in your own words.

Deficit discourse is the stereotypical and discourteous thoughts, perspectives, behaviors, and attitudes towards a specific group in society. It is looking down on certain groups in society (The Lowitja Institute, n.d). For example, a stereotype for Indigenous Australians is that they are unable to attain tertiary education.

2. Give examples of 3 disempowering stereotypes.

• Indigenous Australians are all alcoholics
• Muslims are all terrorists
• All Filipinos are worthless caregivers overseas

1. How can we as health promoters and future OHT’s minimise the harm caused by stereotypes in society?

As health promoters and future Oral Health Therapists, it is paramount to be culturally competent and sensitive in all settings. This includes being respectful to all individuals and communities within society. Additionally, it is important to educate yourself as a professional to reduce your stereotypical perspectives within society. This ensures the way we communicate and behave are not culturally insensitive towards other people which ultimately makes us better clinicians inclusive of everyone in society regardless of demographics.  Reducing stereotypical and derogatory views about certain communities within society makes the dental practices and environments in which we study/ work in to be a comfortable and safe environment for everyone.

Reference

Deficit Discourse and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Policy. (n.d.). The Lowitja Institute.

https://www.lowitja.org.au/content/Document/PDF/deficit-discourse-summary-report.pdf

Although it is easy to understand health advice such as toothbrushing 2s a day, smoking cessation, reduce cariogenic diet, many individuals are not able to simply follow the healthy and alternative advice due to a variety of factors, such as social determinants (sociocultural, socioeconomic, (AIHW, 2016). This includes culture, media, religion, family, peers, geographic location, access to medical/technology, employment, income, and education (AIHW, 2016).

For example, some people are unable to toothbrush daily due to their low perceived susceptibility to oral health conditions and are unable to afford a simple toothbrush and toothpaste. Also, some mental illnesses are so debilitating that they prevent individuals’ motivations to toothbrush.  Additionally, someone from a low socioeconomic background may not be able to afford a healthy and well-balanced diet, so they live with an unhealthy diet, high in carbs and sugars. Individuals who smoke may not be fully educated on the oral and overall health implications tobacco and nicotine have on the body and therefore continue to smoke.

As a result of these social determinants, many individuals experience lower health outcomes and quality of life. In Australia, Indigenous Australians are seen to have significantly large health gaps (AIHW, 2016).

Reference

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2016. Australia’s health 2016. Australia’s health series no. 15. Cat. no. AUS 199. Canberra: AIHW.

Pictured (below): All the fish by Sally Gabori