Oral health services – access for Refugees and Asylum Seekers
Guideline number: QH-GDL-983
Effective date: 18 July 2024
Review date: 16 July 2027
Supersedes: New document
On this page:
- Purpose
- Scope
- Related documents
- Guideline for oral health services for refugees and asylum seekers
- Definitions
- Document approval details
1. Purpose
This guideline provides recommendations regarding best practice to support Hospital and Health Services (HHS) to enable access to oral health services for refugees and asylum seekers by:
- Identifying patients who are refugees and non-Medicare eligible asylum seekers
- Providing clear pathways for referral from authorised support agencies
- Processing referrals for refugees and asylum seekers from authorised agencies
- Delivering appropriate treatment.
2. Scope
This guideline provides information for all Queensland public health system employees (permanent, temporary and casual) and all organisations and individuals acting as its agents (including contractors, consultants and volunteers), with particular relevance to those individuals involved in the delivery of public oral health services to refugees and asylum seekers. Compliance with this guideline is not mandatory, but sound reasoning must exist for departing from the recommended principles within a guideline.
3. Related documents
Standards, procedures and guidelines
- Oral Health Services Eligibility Guideline (QH-GDL-444:2017)
- Oral Health Services Waiting Lists Guideline (QH-GDL-269)
- Fees and charges for healthcare services Health Service Directive (QH-HSD-045:2016
Forms
- Queensland Health oral health services referral form – refugees
- Queensland Health oral health services referral form – asylum seekers
4. Guideline for oral health services for refugees and asylum seekers
4.1. Eligibility
4.1.1. Refugees
Refugees who meet the child or adult criteria detailed in the Oral Health Services Eligibility Guideline are eligible for free public oral health services.
4.1.2. Asylum seekers
Asylum seekers are eligible for free public oral health services even though they do not meet the standard eligibility criteria for public oral health services[1]. This eligibility is extended to children of asylum seekers. The Fees and charges for healthcare services Health Service Directive (QH-HSD-045:2016) requires that no costs are charged to Medicare-ineligible asylum seekers for public health services.
As proof of eligibility, a referral form is required from an authorised support agency or community health clinic, as well as one of the following documents that support evidence of asylum seeker status:
- Immicard issued by the Department of Home Affairs
- Documentation from the Department of Home Affairs confirming current visa status
- Protection visa application letter
- Letter acknowledging submission of a protection claim for asylum
- State Resolution Support Services (SRSS) payment card
- Judicial review documentation – re-application for bridging visa sub-class E (BVE) following a negative protection decision
- Expiring or expired substantive visa as evidence of their existing status
- Documentation from support providers as outlined in the Information Sheet for people seeking asylum[2]
4.2. Referral Process
Agencies that provide support to refugees and asylum seekers must refer clients to a Queensland Health Oral Health Service using one of the following forms:
[1]Public healthcare access for asylum seekers https://www.health.qld.gov.au/public-health/groups/multicultural/refugee-services/translated-asylum-seeker-factsheets
[2]Hospital and Health Services access for people seeking asylum https://qheps.health.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0041/2768585/Attach-1-Info-Sheet-for-HHS-Staff-Updates-March-20221.pdf
- Queensland Health Oral Health Services Referral form – refugees
- Queensland Health Oral Health Services Referral form – asylum seekers
The referring agency, which varies for each HHS, should forward completed forms to their local public dental clinic by email or according to local processes. On receipt of the form, the dental clinic will:
- ensure all parts of the referral form have been completed correctly including eligibility information:
- register the client within the Information System for Oral Health (ISOH) with the appropriate eligibility/ID type:
- HCC for refugees
- ASYLUM for asylum seekers
- assign the client to the Referral List in ISOH with an External Provider referral of the referring agency;
- complete a desktop review of the referral within seven days of receipt.
- if the patient has emergent needs, arrange an emergency appointment (including an interpreter if required).
- place the patient on an appropriate priority list (category 1, 2 or 3) for a comprehensive examination.
- confirm the appointment with the nominated staff member from the referring agency either by fax or email;
- confirm the appointment with the client using an appropriate communication pathway; and,
- ensure copies of all relevant documentation are placed in document management in ISOH.
4.3. General Care
Once an oral health service has received a referral form from an authorised support agency or community health clinic, refugees and asylum seekers (adults and children) are entitled to one priority general course of care.
In this instance, the meaning of priority is consistent with that used within the oral health services waiting list guideline. Priority will reflect not only the patient’s status as a priority population, but also the potential impact of their oral health status on their general health and well-being.
A general course of care will consist of a comprehensive examination and any treatment requirements identified by the dental practitioner. This may include cleaning, restorations, extractions, dentures and, if necessary, specialist dental treatment.
On completion of the priority course of care, refugees and asylum seekers may be placed on the General Care waiting list for future treatment the same as other eligible patients.
4.4. Emergency Care
If a client requires an emergency dental appointment, the authorised support agency should contact their local dental clinic or oral health call centre on 1300 300 850.
5. Definitions
Term | Definition / Explanation / Details |
---|---|
Refugees |
|
Asylum seekers |
|
6. Document approval details
Document custodian:
Chief Dental Officer, Office of the Chief Dental Officer
Approval officer:
Deputy Director-General, Clinical Excellence Queensland
Approval date: 16 July 2024
Version control
Version | Date | Comments |
---|---|---|
1.0 | 16 July 2024 | New guideline approved |