Determining the Level of Patient Satisfaction in a Dental Hygiene Setting.

Not many studies have been conducted in the past to determine patients\u27 level of satisfaction in academic dental hygiene settings. This patient satisfaction study analyzed the level of patient satisfaction with the dental hygiene clinic at East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN. The purpose of the study was to determine if there was a statistically significant influence of demographic characteristics of the patients and the affective behavior of the care providers on level of patient satisfaction. It was concluded that except for age, other demographic variables did not have any statistically significant influence on patient satisfaction. Also, care provider\u27s affective behavior significantly influenced patient satisfaction. Overall, the dental hygiene patients were satisfied with the clinic. As patients\u27 needs are prioritized in this customer-driven industry, such positive patient satisfaction data can be used for the welfare of the patients, the care providers, and the health care organization

Florida child care center directors' intention to implement oral health promotion practices in licensed child care centers

BACKGROUND: To determine the factors associated with child care center directors' (CCCDs) intention to implement oral health promotion practices (OHPPs) in licensed childcare centers (CCCs) within the next year, and their self-perceived barriers in successfully implementing those practices. METHODS: For this cross-sectional study, a pretested 45-item online survey was sent to 5142 CCCDs assessing pediatric oral health knowledge, attitudes towards oral health, intention to implement OHPPs, and self-perceived barriers to implementing OHPPs. An adjusted logistic regression model determined the factors associated with CCCDs intention to implement OHPPs within the next year. RESULTS: Participants were 877 CCCDs, with mean age of 48.5 ± 10.5 years, of whom 96 % were women, and 74 % were whites (Response rate = 19.4 %). The majority (67 %) of respondents reported that they intended to implement OHPPs in their center within a year. Insufficient funding, lack of enough training in oral health, and limited time to promote oral health were the most frequently cited barriers to implementing OHPPs. CCCDs of non-White race (p = 0.02), with a college degree or above (p = 0.05), and with positive attitudes (p < 0.0001), were more likely to report that they will implement OHPPs within the next year compared to their counterparts. CONCLUSIONS: CCCDs reported fewer barriers to implementing OHPPs within the next year, indicating that CCCs can be a suitable setting to promote oral health. CCCDs race, educational status and attitudes towards oral health strongly predicted their intention to implement OHPPs. Though this study assessed the intention of CCCDs to implement OHPPs in CCCs, it did not access the actual implementation of OHPPs by them. Therefore future research could longitudinally assess predictors for true implementation of OHPPs. In addition, researchers should adopt a more comprehensive, multi-level approach to assess the actual dental health needs of children attending these centers, along with parental, staff and center level characteristics, and other relevant factors related to implementing OHPPs

Los Angeles County dentists opinions on discussing human papilloma virus-related oral health issues and recommending vaccine to patients.

Dentists are well-positioned to discuss oral health issues related to Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and recommend the HPV vaccine to their patients, mainly because the HPV virus causes oropharyngeal cancers.. We assessed Los Angeles (LA) County dentists opinions on discussing HPV-related oral health issues and recommending the HPV vaccine to their patients. We tested if opinions differed between dentists whose primary patient population was only adults versus children and adults. We mailed a 19-item survey to 2000 randomly sampled LA County dentists for this cross-sectional study. The primary outcome variable was a summary opinion score of 7 opinion statements. We ran descriptive, bivariate comparisons and adjusted linear regression models. Overall, 261 dentists completed the survey. A majority (58.5%) worried they would lose patients if they recommended the vaccine; 49% thought dentists were not appropriate to educate, counsel, or advise on HPV-related issues; 42% were concerned about the safety of the vaccine; and 40% did not feel comfortable recommending the vaccine. The mean summary opinion score was 21.4 ± 5.4 for the total sample. Regression analysis showed no differences in opinions between dentists whose primary patient population was only adults versus children and adults (Coefficient = 0.146, p = 0.83). Overall, the responding dentists were not very favorable about discussing oral health-related HPV issues and recommending the HPV vaccine to their patients. Additionally, the overall opinions were similar between dentists whose primary patient population was only adults versus children and adults

Effectiveness and cost effectiveness of OralCDx brush biospy compared to conventional oral examination [sic]

PLEASE NOTE: This work is protected by copyright. Downloading is restricted to the BU community: please click Download and log in with a valid BU account to access. If you are the author of this work and would like to make it publicly available, please contact [email protected] (DScD) --Boston University, Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine, 2010 (Department of Health Policy and Health Services Research)Includes bibliographic references: leaves 161-175.OralCDx brush biopsy was developed to improve clinicians' diagnosis during oral cancer screening. However it is unclear if truly improves clinicians' diagnosis, and provides value for the money spent. OBJECTIVES l) To determine the effectiveness of OralCDx brush biopsy in a population with low oral and pharyngeal cancer (OPC) prevalence compared to conventional oral examination (COE). 2) To determine the economic consequences of OralCDx brush biopsy in a target population appropriate for brush biopsy, compared to oral surgeons' (OS) COE. METHODOLOGY In this hypothetical study a best-case scenario for brush biopsy (99% sensitivity and 99% specificity), and a worst-case scenario for COE (79.6% sensitivity and 97.7% specificity) was set. To achieve the first objective, we estimated and compared the positive predictive values (PPV) for brush biopsy and COE in high-risk (HR), low-risk (LR), and the general US population (GP) groups. To assess the extent to which the PPV changes, we performed a sensitivity analysis by adjusting the sensitivity and specificity of brush biopsy in HR, LR, and GP groups. To achieve the second objective, we compared two decision analysis arms: brush biopsy, and COE by OS. A non-reference case cost effectiveness analysis from an insurance company perspective, including only the direct medical costs was conducted. Costs and healthy days gained over a period of 5-years were discounted at rate of 3% per year. No willingness to pay threshold (WTP) was set. AnaIysis of influence, two way, and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed. [TRUNCATED

ASSESSMENT OF A DENTAL CLINIC AND A DENTAL SCHOOL CURRICULUM ESTABLISHED TO IMPROVE ORAL HEALTH FOR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS

Objective. To assess the level of parent satisfaction with special needs pediatric dental clinic (PDC) and the effectiveness of a dental school curriculum established to improve oral health among children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs). Background. Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine (NSU-CDM) developed a didactic curriculum and established a clinic, funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), to educate and train pediatric dental residents to acquire skills and knowledge in meeting the dental care needs of children with ASDs. Methods. Data for this study was collected through: 1) A 42-item survey was sent to the parents/caregivers of children receiving services at PDC to assess parent satisfaction, 2) Pre-test and post-tests instruments were used to assess knowledge gain among residents, and 3) A 13-item impact survey was administered to residents to assess their opinions and satisfaction on the curriculum. Results. Almost all responded parents were satisfied (97%) with the PDC and the services provided. A significant difference in mean class knowledge and percent change in knowledge (P \u3c 0.05) during the post-tests was observed among the residents. 100% of responding residents strongly agreed/ agreed that the didactic curriculum increased their knowledge and that they received adequate clinical exposure to manage children with ASDs. Conclusion. The services provided at PDC exceeded or met the expectations of the responding parents. Residents were highly satisfied with both the ASD clinical and didactic training Grants. This study was funded by a grant from HRSA

Childhood dental caries and obesity: Opportunities for interdisciplinary approaches to prevention

Abstract Dental caries and obesity are prevalent and preventable chronic childhood diseases. Evidence shows a strong connection between these two diseases, with overlapping common risk factors, including diet as a key driver of risk. Dental professionals are well‐positioned to perform nutritional counseling and obesity prevention in dental clinic settings, but training and clinical integration remain key challenges. This paper highlights the potential for leveraging the common risk factor approach (CRFA) framework and its principles to reduce the impact of childhood dental caries and obesity. Strategies and methods are provided to integrate meaningful didactic and clinical training experiences in dental academia, and the need to include effective and evidence‐based nutritional counseling techniques in dental settings is also described. Additionally, the potential for integrating CRFA and engaging health care providers across the spectrum of care, including primary care settings, to reduce the prevalence of these diseases in pediatric populations is highlighted. Finally, the authors propose future directions for multidisciplinary research to advance the scientific knowledge in this area and to inform effective and comprehensive interventions for dental settings

Effectiveness and Utility of Oral Cancer Diagnostic Adjuncts in Adult US Populations

Objective. To compare the effectiveness of oral cancer diagnostic adjuncts (DA) and clinicians’ conventional oral examination (COE) in detecting oral and pharyngeal cancers (OPC), in high-risk (HR), low-risk (LR), and in the overall adult US populations (GP). Background. Though it is important that new oral cancer diagnostics are made available for public’s use, it is even more imperative to question if they are effective in truly detecting oral cancer. Methods. We assumed DAs to have 99% sensitivity and 9 specificity. For COE, 79.6% sensitivity, and 97.7% specificity was used. The positive predictive value (PPV) for a DA and COE were estimated for HR, LR and GP groups, respectively. Three different sensitivity analyses (Sensitivity constant but decreasing specificity, specificity constant but decreasing sensitivity, decreasing both sensitivity and specificity simultaneously) were performed to determine the effectiveness of DAs while keeping the prevalence of OPC in HR, LR, and GP groups constant at 0.4039%, 0.0362%, and 0.1109% respectively. Results. The PPVs for a DA in HR, LR and GP groups in the US, were estimated at 29%, 3%, and 10%, while for COE the PPVs would be at 12%, 1%, and 4% respectively. Conclusions. Utility of DAs in LR and GP groups is negligible. In HR population, DAs may have a slightly better effectiveness than clinicians when assumed to have high sensitivity and specificit

Health Literacy and its Association with Human Papilloma Virus Vaccination Among Adults: Findings from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System

Health literacy is associated with the utilization of preventive health services. We examined the association between health literacy (HL) levels and receipt of at least one dose of the human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccination. We analyzed the data from the 2016 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) among adults aged 18 to 32. The primary outcome variable was the ‘yes/no’ response to the question that assessed whether the participant received at least the first dose of HPV vaccination. The primary independent variable was a summative HL score (range 3 through 12) we created for each respondent by adding the scores for all three HL questions. We performed bivariate and multivariable (logistic regression) analyses to examine the relationship between study variables. The analytical sample of 6,731 adults aged 18 to 32 met the eligibility criteria. Regression analyses showed that the odds of having received at least one dose of HPV vaccination increased by 13% for every unit increase in health literacy score (Odds ratio: 1.13, 95% CI:1.06–1.21, p \u3c .0001). Age, gender, marital status, race/ethnicity, insurance status, and having regular access to a personal doctor were predictors of HPV vaccination status. This study showed that higher levels of HL may contribute to the uptake of at least one dose of the HPV vaccine. Health care and public health organizations, health care professionals, and policymakers should emphasize improving the health literacy levels of the patients and the public to increase the uptake of the HPV vaccine

Health literacy and its association with human papilloma virus vaccination among adults: Findings from the behavioral risk factor surveillance system

Health literacy is associated with the utilization of preventive health services. We examined the association between health literacy (HL) levels and receipt of at least one dose of the human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccination. We analyzed the data from the 2016 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) among adults aged 18 to 32. The primary outcome variable was the ‘yes/no’ response to the question that assessed whether the participant received at least the first dose of HPV vaccination. The primary independent variable was a summative HL score (range 3 through 12) we created for each respondent by adding the scores for all three HL questions. We performed bivariate and multivariable (logistic regression) analyses to examine the relationship between study variables. The analytical sample of 6,731 adults aged 18 to 32 met the eligibility criteria. Regression analyses showed that the odds of having received at least one dose of HPV vaccination increased by 13% for every unit increase in health literacy score (Odds ratio: 1.13, 95% CI:1.06–1.21, p < .0001). Age, gender, marital status, race/ethnicity, insurance status, and having regular access to a personal doctor were predictors of HPV vaccination status. This study showed that higher levels of HL may contribute to the uptake of at least one dose of the HPV vaccine. Health care and public health organizations, health care professionals, and policymakers should emphasize improving the health literacy levels of the patients and the public to increase the uptake of the HPV vaccine