Amy Szacilo, MS, RDH
Nominated From: University of Washington
Research Site: Nepal- Kathmandu University – Dhulikhel Hospital
Research Area: Health Services, Implementation Science, Oral Health Programs
Primary Mentor: Donald Chi
Research Project
A mixed methods implementation study on the Basic Package of Oral Care in Nepal
Nearly 3.5 billion people suffer from oral diseases globally, with the majority of this burden impacting individuals living in low- and middle-income countries. Despite advances in the clinical treatment of oral diseases, oral health disparities continue to grow. Contributing to these disparities in Nepal, most dental professionals are concentrated in the urbanized Kathmandu Valley, leaving rural communities with limited access to oral health care. The Basic Package of Oral Care (BPOC) was developed, in collaboration with the World Health Organization, in 2002 as a framework for providing basic oral health care in resource-limited settings. Nepal is the only country routinely implementing the package through a public-private partnership between one NGO and local Nepali governments. Few studies have explored the implementation of the BPOC, leaving little insight into how this package is implemented and sustained. This research aims to provide an in-depth understanding of the BPOC’s implementation in Nepal and fill a critical gap in the current literature that will advance progress toward global oral health equity. This study aims to address this gap by exploring the use of a modified version of the BPOC in Nepal using the Practical, Robust Implementation and Sustainability Model (PRISM). A community-engaged, mixed methods approach will guide the research. A quantitative phase will evaluate the program’s reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation and maintenance (RE-AIM). A qualitative phase, drawing on interviews and a participatory Photovoice project, will explore perceptions of implementing staff and community members receiving care through the program.
Research Significance
By exploring the implementation processes and contextual factors that influence the BPOC in Nepal, this research seeks to develop a comprehensive foundation of knowledge that will guide the adaptation of the existing program and inform future iterations of the program capable of increasing access to oral health care services in rural settings, advancing equitable access to care.
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