The first study using a Kaupapa Māori approach to examine emergency department non-traumatic dental presentations (NTDP) found barriers to accessing primary oral healthcare and a paucity of Kaupapa Māori initiatives. The study reviewed 2034 NTDP to the Christchurch emergency department between 2018 and 2020. Māori and Pacific peoples were over represented compared to local population estimates (27.0% and 6.9% vs 9.4% and 3.2%, respectively). Māori had the highest age-standardised incidence of hospital admission, but shorter length of stay compared with Pacific peoples and NZ Europeans (0.9 vs 3.8 and 2.0 days, respectively). Provision of high-quality, equitable care for Māori requires further action and accountability, concluded the study authors.
