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Trinh MV, Rhodes AL, Measey MA, Silva M. Dental visits in early life: patterns and barriers among Australian children. Aust N Z J Public Health 2022; 46:281-285. [PMID: 35298078 DOI: 10.1111/1753-6405.13224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2021] [Revised: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To determine the early dental service utilisation patterns among Australian children and investigate barriers to care. METHOD Randomly selected adults aged 18 years and older who were parents or caregivers of children under 18 years of age completed an online nationally representative cross-sectional survey which was then analysed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS A total 2,048 parents of 3,660 children, including 1,179 aged between one and six years, completed the survey. Utilisation of professional dental care was low among children under six years of age, with just 118 (27.3%) at one year of age having ever received professional dental care. The most frequently reported reasons for lack of professional dental care were that the child was too young, their teeth were healthy or that the child would be scared. Cost was the fourth most frequently reported reason in young children. Only 459 (22.4%) parents knew that the first dental visit should be at one year of age or earlier. CONCLUSIONS Parents are unaware that children should have their first dental visit at 12 months, and therefore most children miss out on essential early health promotion. IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH As many parents are unaware of the importance of early dental visits, integrating and strengthening oral health promotion screening and referral within broader early childhood health services is essential.
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Affiliation(s)
- My-Van Trinh
- Melbourne Dental School, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria.,The Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne, Carlton, Victoria.,Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Inflammatory Origins, Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria
| | - Anthea L Rhodes
- Department of General Medicine, Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria.,Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria.,Health Services Research Unit, Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria
| | - Mary-Anne Measey
- Health Services Research Unit, Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria
| | - Mihiri Silva
- Melbourne Dental School, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria.,Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria.,Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Inflammatory Origins, Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria.,Department of Dentistry, Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria
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2
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Gaffar B, Farooqi FA, Nazir MA, Bakhurji E, Al-Khalifa KS, Alhareky M, Virtanen JI. Oral health-related interdisciplinary practices among healthcare professionals in Saudi Arabia: Does integrated care exist? BMC Oral Health 2022; 22:75. [PMID: 35300658 PMCID: PMC8928017 DOI: 10.1186/s12903-022-02113-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background There is a bidirectional relation between oral and general health, therefore collaboration between healthcare providers is needed. This study investigated current interdisciplinary practices (IDP) and the associated factors among healthcare professionals in Saudi Arabia. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Eastern Saudi Arabia recruiting four groups of health professionals (nurses, physicians, pediatricians and Ear-Nose and Throat (ENT) specialists). A validated, self-administered questionnaire was distributed online and shared through social media platforms. The questionnaire explored predisposing factors (demographics) and facilitating factors (knowledge, attitudes, attendance of oral health training and source of knowledge) associated with IDP. Results A total of 1398 health professionals were recruited. Participants showed fair oral health knowledge (7.1 ± 2.1) and attitudes (22.2 ± 3). Three-fourths (74.6%) reported always providing oral health education (OHE) to their patients, more than half (59.6%) reported always conducting an oral health screening (OHS), two-thirds (66.7%) reported responding to patients’ questions about oral health or conditions and 58.7% reported referring patients to dentists. Pediatricians and physicians had greater odds of IDP compared to other health professionals. Source of oral health knowledge (Ministry of Health (MOH) and formal education) was significantly associated with increased odds of IDP. Participants with good oral health knowledge had greater odds of responding to patients’ oral health question as well as have more referral practices. Conclusion The results reveal a discrepancy between participants' IDP, knowledge, and attitudes. Incorporating dental component to medical curricula, continuous education and training programs targeting health professionals through Ministry of Health should be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Balgis Gaffar
- Department of Preventive Dental Sciences, College of Dentistry, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam Costal Street, B.O Box 1982, Dammam, Costal Code 31441, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Faraz Ahmed Farooqi
- Department of Dental Education, College of Dentistry, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| | - Muhammad Ashraf Nazir
- Department of Preventive Dental Sciences, College of Dentistry, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam Costal Street, B.O Box 1982, Dammam, Costal Code 31441, Saudi Arabia
| | - Eman Bakhurji
- Department of Preventive Dental Sciences, College of Dentistry, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam Costal Street, B.O Box 1982, Dammam, Costal Code 31441, Saudi Arabia
| | - Khalifa S Al-Khalifa
- Department of Preventive Dental Sciences, College of Dentistry, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam Costal Street, B.O Box 1982, Dammam, Costal Code 31441, Saudi Arabia
| | - Muhanad Alhareky
- Department of Preventive Dental Sciences, College of Dentistry, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam Costal Street, B.O Box 1982, Dammam, Costal Code 31441, Saudi Arabia
| | - Jorma I Virtanen
- Department of Clinical Dentistry, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
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Schroth RJ, Rothney J, Sturym M, Dabiri D, Dabiri D, Dong CC, Grant CG, Kennedy T, Sihra R. A systematic review to inform the development of a Canadian caries risk assessment tool for use by primary healthcare providers. Int J Paediatr Dent 2021; 31:767-791. [PMID: 33497015 DOI: 10.1111/ipd.12776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Revised: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Caries risk assessment (CRA) tools may assist in identifying children at risk of early childhood caries. AIM To complete a systematic review of CRA and develop a Canadian CRA tool for preschool children for use in non-dental clinical settings. DESIGN Systematic searches of relevant databases were conducted. Potential variables were based on strength of associations (odd ratios, relative risk, hazard ratios, etc), frequency of occurrence, and existing CRA tools. Quality of the evidence assessments were performed by at least two review teams through consensus following GRADE. RESULTS Overall, 25 publications met the inclusion criteria, all prospective in design. Based on this review, variables to be considered when developing a new CRA tool for use with preschool children are as follows: age, socioeconomic status, family toothbrushing habits, fluoride exposure, infant feeding practices, dietary habits/behaviours, dental home, caries experience, visible plaque, and enamel defects. The environmental scan identified 22 CRA tools suggesting other additional variables to consider including in a CRA tool, including special healthcare needs, enamel defects, and dental attendance. CONCLUSIONS This review informed the development of a Canadian CRA tool for use by primary healthcare professionals, which may improve access to oral health assessments and increase interprofessional collaboration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J Schroth
- Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.,Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.,Section of Pediatric Dentistry, Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Janet Rothney
- Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Melina Sturym
- Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.,Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Darya Dabiri
- School of Dentistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Donya Dabiri
- University of Toledo Medical Center, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA
| | - Cecilia C Dong
- Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Cameron G Grant
- Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.,Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Tara Kennedy
- Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.,Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Rena Sihra
- Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.,Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
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Kranz AM, Opper IM, Estrada-Darley I, Goldstein E, Stein BD, Dick AW. Outcomes Associated With State Policies Enabling Provision of Oral Health Services in Medical Offices Among Medicaid-enrolled Children. Med Care 2021; 59:513-518. [PMID: 33973938 PMCID: PMC8117116 DOI: 10.1097/mlr.0000000000001532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND To increase receipt of preventive oral health services (POHS), all state Medicaid programs have enacted policies to encourage nondental providers to deliver POHS in medical offices. This study examined if these Medicaid policies improved oral health, as measured by reductions in dental visits with treatment and preventable emergency department (ED) visits for nontraumatic dental conditions (NTDC). METHODS Using data on children aged 6 months to up to 6 years from 38 state Medicaid programs during 2006-2014, we used a generalized difference-in-differences estimation approach to examine the probability of a child having, in a year, any dental visits with caries-related treatment and any ED visits for NTDC, conditional on length of policy enactment. Models included additional child-level and county-level characteristics, state and year fixed effects, probability weights, and clustered standard errors. RESULTS Among a weighted sample of 45,107,240 child/year observations, 11.7% had any dental visits with treatment and 0.2% had any ED visits for NTDC annually. Children in states with and without medical POHS policies had similar odds of having any dental visits with treatment, regardless of length of policy enactment. Children in states with medical POHS policies enacted for one or more years had significantly greater odds of having any ED visits for NTDC (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS State policies making POHS available in medical offices did not affect rates of dental visits with caries-related treatment, but were associated with increased rates of potentially avoidable ED visits for NTDC. Findings suggest that many young Medicaid-enrollees lack access to dentists.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Evan Goldstein
- RAND Corporation, 1200 S. Hayes St. Arlington, VA, 22202
- Ohio State University, College of Public Health, 1841 Neil Ave. Columbus, OH, 43210
| | - Bradley D. Stein
- RAND Corporation, 4570 Fifth Ave. Suite 600, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213
| | - Andrew W. Dick
- RAND Corporation, 20 Park Plaza, 9 Floor, Suite 920, Boston, MA, 02116
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Meyer BD, Danesh DO. The Impact of COVID-19 on Preventive Oral Health Care During Wave One. FRONTIERS IN DENTAL MEDICINE 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fdmed.2021.636766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Early childhood caries burdens children, their families, and the health care system. Utilizing fluoride varnish at medical well-child visits with non-dental primary care providers can be an interprofessional strategy to combat early childhood caries. The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically altered preventive health care delivery and the effects on preventive oral health care delivery have not been previously described.Methods: This analysis used descriptive statistics and non-parametric Wilcoxon Mann-Whitney tests to compare preventive oral health utilization among 1 to 5-year old children in two state Medicaid agencies before and during the pandemic. Fluoride utilization rates at dental visits and medical well-child visits were calculated as number of users per 1,000 enrolled children. Additionally, the proportion of well-child visits that included fluoride application was calculated for each state.Results: During the pandemic, the quarterly fluoride utilization rate significantly decreased at dental visits (pre-pandemic = 153.5 per 1,000 enrolled children; pandemic = 36.1 per 1,000 enrolled children, p < 0.001) and signficantly decreased at medical well-child visits (pre-pandemic = 72.2 per 1,000 enrolled children; pandemic = 32.3 per 1,000 enrolled children, p = 0.03) during the pandemic.Conclusions: The findings highlight the importance of interprofessional collaboration among non-dental primary care providers and dental providers to provide access to preventive oral health services, particularly when access to dentists is limited. Future directions might include rigorous evaluations of co-located medical and dental services or the use of interprofessional telehealth technologies.
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Feine J. Expanding Perspectives. JDR Clin Trans Res 2020; 5:100-101. [DOI: 10.1177/2380084420909134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- J.S. Feine
- Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
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