• Natasha Davidson, Sue Skull, Hanny Calache, Donna Chesters, and Jane Chalmers.
• Victorian Immigrant Health Program, Victoria.
• Aust N Z J Public Health. 2007 Feb 1; 31 (1): 73-80.

ObjectiveDespite the poor dental health of refugees, few specific services are available. This review maps public dental services for refugees across Australian jurisdictions, identifies gaps in provision, identifies barriers to accessing dental care, and provides recommendations for improving access and oral health promotion for this group.MethodsData were sought from the State and Territory services for: a) the survivors of torture; b) oral health care units; and c) auditors-general reports of dental services. Eligibility criteria and estimated waiting times for general dental services, criteria for access to emergency care and availability of interpreter services were reviewed.ResultsMarked variation exists across Australian jurisdictions in available dental services and criteria for access to public dental care for refugees. There is limited priority access to general dental services for refugees. Waiting times for public dental treatment in most, if not all, jurisdictions are unacceptably long (range 13-58 months). Few interpreter services exist for refugees seeking to access dental services.ConclusionsAccess to dental services for refugees across Australia remains fragmented and limited, particularly in rural and regional areas. Refugees are not using services because of several barriers, including long waiting times, variation in assessment criteria, different eligibility criteria and limited interpreter services. Consequently, their pattern of service use does not accurately reflect their needs.ImplicationsAustralia needs better co-ordinated, more extensive dental services that are easily accessible for this very high risk group. Identification of refugees as a special needs group and provision of targeted interventions addressing barriers to care are needed to establish adequate dental care.

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