Oral health workers’ perspectives on systemic challenges and service disparities in denture services provision in selected districts of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
1
Dental Sciences, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa
2
College of Health Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Access to denture services remains limited for aging and socioeconomically disadvantaged groups relying on South Africa’s public oral health system. Although dentures form part of basic rehabilitative care (1, 2), delivery is hindered by staffing shortages, lack of materials, and infrastructural constraints, resulting in long waiting times and restricted availability, particularly in rural districts (3). This affects nutrition, speech, self‑esteem, and general quality of life (4). The high prevalence of edentulism among disadvantaged groups dependent on public rehabilitative care heightens concern (5). Despite this need, little empirical evidence exists on denture service accessibility in KwaZulu‑Natal, particularly in the Harry Gwala and eThekwini districts (6). This study examined systemic challenges and service disparities in public-sector denture service delivery.
METHODS:
An interpretivist qualitative design was used. Twenty purposively selected participants including provincial executives, public oral health managers, dentists, dental therapists, dental technicians, and private practitioners participated in semi‑structured interviews. Interview domains included: (1) awareness of public denture services; (2) inclusion of denture services in the essential oral healthcare package; and (3) incorporation of denture services into the National Health Insurance (NHI) essential package. Data were analyzed thematically using NVivo 15.
RESULTS:
Four themes emerged: (1) poor availability and access to rehabilitative oral services; (2) limited financial and human resources; (3) challenges in reprioritizing oral health within public services; and (4) opportunities and barriers to strengthening denture delivery. Rural facilities lacked denture services entirely, while urban centers faced prolonged waiting lists.
CONCLUSIONS:
Despite existing infrastructure and trained personnel, denture service delivery in KwaZulu‑Natal is hindered by systemic bottlenecks, insufficient resources, and weak policy prioritization. Strengthening district‑level laboratory capacity, improving resource allocation, and ensuring meaningful integration of oral health in NHI planning are essential for equitable rehabilitative care, particularly for underserved rural communities.
Access to denture services remains limited for aging and socioeconomically disadvantaged groups relying on South Africa’s public oral health system. Although dentures form part of basic rehabilitative care (1, 2), delivery is hindered by staffing shortages, lack of materials, and infrastructural constraints, resulting in long waiting times and restricted availability, particularly in rural districts (3). This affects nutrition, speech, self‑esteem, and general quality of life (4). The high prevalence of edentulism among disadvantaged groups dependent on public rehabilitative care heightens concern (5). Despite this need, little empirical evidence exists on denture service accessibility in KwaZulu‑Natal, particularly in the Harry Gwala and eThekwini districts (6). This study examined systemic challenges and service disparities in public-sector denture service delivery.
METHODS:
An interpretivist qualitative design was used. Twenty purposively selected participants including provincial executives, public oral health managers, dentists, dental therapists, dental technicians, and private practitioners participated in semi‑structured interviews. Interview domains included: (1) awareness of public denture services; (2) inclusion of denture services in the essential oral healthcare package; and (3) incorporation of denture services into the National Health Insurance (NHI) essential package. Data were analyzed thematically using NVivo 15.
RESULTS:
Four themes emerged: (1) poor availability and access to rehabilitative oral services; (2) limited financial and human resources; (3) challenges in reprioritizing oral health within public services; and (4) opportunities and barriers to strengthening denture delivery. Rural facilities lacked denture services entirely, while urban centers faced prolonged waiting lists.
CONCLUSIONS:
Despite existing infrastructure and trained personnel, denture service delivery in KwaZulu‑Natal is hindered by systemic bottlenecks, insufficient resources, and weak policy prioritization. Strengthening district‑level laboratory capacity, improving resource allocation, and ensuring meaningful integration of oral health in NHI planning are essential for equitable rehabilitative care, particularly for underserved rural communities.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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