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Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal – Vol. 8, No. 12

Publication Date: December 25, 2021

DOI:10.14738/assrj.812.11376. Nosa, V., Pili, N., & Tatui, L. (2021). A Document Analysis for Improving Oral Health Services in Niue. Advances in Social Sciences

Research Journal, 8(12). 139-148.

Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom

A Document Analysis for Improving Oral Health Services in Niue

Vili Nosa

Pacific Health Section, School of Population Health

Faculty of Medical & Health Sciences, University of Auckland

Nafanua Pili

Pacific Health Section, School of Population Health

Faculty of Medical & Health Sciences, University of Auckland

Leroy Tatui

Pacific Health Section, School of Population Health

Faculty of Medical & Health Sciences, University of Auckland

ABSTRACT

Background: There is very little research that focuses on oral health in the Pacific

region. This paper outlines a document analysis of dental reports from the dental

clinic in Niue and to examine their oral health and dental services. Furthermore this

paper is intended to highlight how oral services in Niue can be improved for better

oral health care for the Niue community. Methods: A document analysis of seven

Niue dental reports between July 2011 to July 2018. The information found in the

documents were organised under the sections clinical data reporting. The analysis

also focused on a strength based approached for discussing the key challenges; the

main achievements; and future recommendations for improving dental services for

Niue. Results: Dental caries are the most common reason for tooth extractions

followed by periodontal diseases. Primary school students are affected the most

with 60 percent of students experiencing untreated dental caries. Among high

school students, the rate of dental caries experienced is relatively low. Women

appear to attend the dental clinic more than men however the number of visits for

both men and women has declined. The key challenges faced by the dental team

were a lack of resources specifically shortage of computers and functioning dental

chairs, unfamiliarity with MEDTECH and limited staff development opportunities.

Despite these challenges, the team were still able to establish the ‘Atuhau Mamali’

programme and upskill one staff member through professional development. Other

achievements included reducing noise pollution, allocating a budget for safety

equipment and establishing clinical guidelines for practice. Conclusions:

Recommendations to improve oral health and dental services in Niue are to deliver

targeted dental caries interventions in schools, introduce stronger food policies and

to implement collaborative networks across the Pacific region. It is recommended

that the Niue dental team develop more rigorous methods of data documentation to

gain a more accurate picture of oral health in the country.

Keywords: ‘Oral health’, ‘Dental clinics’, ‘Public health’, ‘Niue’, ‘Oral health in the Pacific’,

‘Pacific island countries and territories’, ‘Dental services’.

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Nosa, V., Pili, N., & Tatui, L. (2021). A Document Analysis for Improving Oral Health Services in Niue. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal,

8(12). 139-148.

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/assrj.812.11376

Figure 1. Illustrates the number of patients seen on a yearly basis from

July 2011 to July 2018.

The number of patients treated appears to have declined in recent years

however this cannot be confirmed due to inconsistent data collection and

recording.