Dental Access for Underserved Population - Essay Example

1. Review your written statement and ask yourself the following questions:
1. Is the problem stated in a complete, grammatical sentence?

Yes, it is grammatically correct and self-explanatory.

1. Is it clear how the area of study will be limited or focused?

Yes, it is clearly stated that the area of study will be low-income urban areas and the solution to be provided will suit the children in these areas.

1. Is it clear that you have an open mind about results that the research effort might yield?

Yes, the problem statement is neutral and has not given any answer to the problem so it leaves this to be given by the results in the research study itself.

1. On the basis of your answers to the questions in item 2, edit your written statement.

There is no need to improve the problem statement since it is clear that it does satisfy all questions in question 2 satisfactorily.

1. Look at your edited statement and reflect on the following questions:
1. Does the answer to this problem have the potential for providing important and useful answers and information?

Yes, the solution or answer to this problem will largely help to provide information about providing dental care and help to develop and implement programs for providing dental care.

1. Will the result be more than a simple exercise in gathering information, answering a yes/no question, or making a simple comparison?

The result of the problem statement will involve developing and implementing programs that provide affordable dental care to low-income urban areas especially to children.

1. Is the problem-focused enough to be accomplished with a reasonable expenditure of time, money and effort?

The problem is directed towards children in low-income areas and the resolution sought will provide them with affordable dental care. The estimated expenditure for researching this is relatively low and will not utilize much effort and time either.

1. Looking at the statement once more, consider this: Is the problem really what you want to investigate?

Yes, the problem is what I want to address. I want to increase access to care by implementing programs for children that need dental care in urban low-income areas. The research will be conducted in the communities of low social-economic class. This is what I have captured in my problem statement.

1. Show other research students your work. Ask them to consider the questions listed in items 2 and 4 and then to give you their comments. With your compiled feedback, edit and rewrite your problem statement once again.

One suggestion received was that though the problem statement is simple and straight to the point, there is a need to have a paragraph or two describing something in detail regarding this problem with documented or published references. The rewritten problem statement goes as below.

Currently, there is a large population that, though surviving, lacks access to dental care especially the underserved population. This has led them to endure much physical, emotional and psychological stress when dental illnesses arise. Dental care is very important in children especially because at this stage, they are more prone to dental illnesses due to the growth and development of teeth at this tender age and if not checked, they could grow to have deformed teeth or even no teeth at all.

Provision of dental health care is very critical since there are many infections that arise from untreated cavities and plaque such as dental caries, fluorosis, gum disease, bad breath, tooth sensitivity, and gingivitis. Other conditions that have been related to poor dental health include respiratory diseases, low-birth weight, diabetes and heart disease, stomach problems caused by improper chewing of food, low self-esteem, sleeping problems, and many others. In many countries, there is less than 50% coverage of the provision of dental care. Even in the UK which is thought to be one of the developed countries, there are 2 million people who have unmet dental needs (Gulliford & Morgan, 2003, p. 174).