title: Facilitators and Barriers to Dental Care Among Mexican Migrant Women and Their Families in North San Diego County.
abstract: To qualitatively examine facilitators and barriers to dental care access and quality services among Mexican migrant women and their families living in North San Diego County, California. Six focus groups were conducted, with 52 participants. Three focus groups were with community residents (average group size of 10), and three were with community health workers/leaders (called Lideres; average group size of 7). The behavioral model for vulnerable populations theoretical framework guided qualitative data analyses. Predisposing factors to dental care access varied and included immigration status, language, and dental care experiences. Barriers to accessing quality dental services included high cost, lack of insurance coverage, dissatisfaction with providers, long wait times and discrimination. Participants expressed a desire for health policy changes, including affordable coverage for immigrants and their families. This study provided insights into how dental care providers, community health centers, and policymakers can improve dental care access and services to migrant populations.
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, 92182, USA.
authors.forename: Diane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Velez
authors.affiliation: Vista Community Clinic, Vista, CA, 92084, USA.
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Palomo-Zerfas
authors.affiliation: National Latino Research Center, California State University San Marcos, San Marcos, CA, 92096, USA.
authors.forename: Arcela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nunez-Alvarez
authors.affiliation: College of Health and Human Services, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, 92182, USA.|Institute for Behavioral and Community Health, 9245 Sky Park Court, Suite 221, San Diego, CA, 92123, USA.
authors.forename: Guadalupe X
authors.initials: GX
authors.lastname: Ayala
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, 92182, USA. tfinlays@mail.sdsu.edu.|Institute for Behavioral and Community Health, 9245 Sky Park Court, Suite 221, San Diego, CA, 92123, USA. tfinlays@mail.sdsu.edu.
authors.forename: Tracy L
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-2457-4183
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Finlayson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002140:California; D003729:Dental Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D019458:Insurance Coverage; D007347:Insurance, Dental; D007802:Language; D017058:Mexican Americans / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D063505:Racism / Q000523:psychology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014171:Transients and Migrants / Q000523:psychology*; D000069756:Undocumented Immigrants / Q000523:psychology; D014850:Waiting Lists; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Behavioral model for vulnerable populations; Dental care; Mexican; Migrant