Table 1 Focus group themes and sub-themes

More oral health knowledge and training to meet the local community’s needs

• Understanding Aboriginal ways of doing health service provision

• Current oral health training, knowledge and practices

Trust builds empowered relationships

• Building trust

• Supporting women to make choices

Colonisation and intergenerational trauma: systemic barriers

• External barriers to accessing dental services

• Feelings of ‘shame’: fear, anxiety and judgement

Systems that provide continuity of care

• Working in two worlds

• Need for a priority dental referral pathway