An evaluation of the discriminant and predictive validity of relative social disadvantage as screening criteria for priority access to public general dental care in Australia

摘要

BackgroundMost public dental care services provide preventive, general dental care on a chronological, first come – first served basis. There is concern about lack of transparency, equity and timeliness in access to public dental services across Australia. Using social determinants as screening criteria is a novel approach to triage in dental care and is relatively untested in the literature. The research evaluated the discriminant and predictive validity of relative social disadvantage in prioritising access to public general dental care.