Application of a Theory-Based Educational Intervention to Increase the Frequency of Performing Oral Health Assessments on Children Among Advanced Practice Registered Nurses and Nurses

The purpose of this study was to determine if the use of a theory-based educational intervention would increase the frequency of performing oralhealth assessments (OHAs) during well-child visits among nurses. A randomized experimental design was conducted to determine if the educationalintervention would improve frequency of performing OHAs, in addition to, knowledge, confidence in performing OHAs, and advising parents. Using a non-probability sampling frame, “snowball technique,” a total of 46 participants were recruited. After exclusion criteria, 33 advanced practice registered nurses(APRNs), registered nurses (RNs), and licensed practical nurses (LPNs); were randomized into a control or experimental group. Data collection occurred over afour-week period. An adapted validated 21-question survey designed through Qualtrics© software was used to measure oral health-related practices onchildren of all participants at pre and post-intervention. The electronically delivered intervention was a continuing education (CE) course that focused onchildren’s oral health. Participants in the experimental group received the CE course immediately following completion of the electronic survey whereas; participants in the control group received the CE course content after completing the post-survey at 4 weeks. At 3 weeks, a trivia question related tochildren’s oral health, and a brochure, “Promoting Oral Health” sponsored by the American Academy of Pediatrics was electronically delivered. Participants received 1 free CME credit as an incentive for participating and completing all portions of the study. A two-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) mixed design statistical analysis was used to determine statistical significant difference (p =\u3c0.05). There was no significant main effect, or difference between the experimental and control groups for frequency of performing OHAs on children. However, there were significant main effects of time from pre to post-tests within the experimental and control groups for the following variables: knowledge (F (1, 31) = 12.67, p = 0.001), confidence in performing OHAs (F (1, 30) =10.17, p = 0.003), and confidence advising parents (F (1, 30) = 10.78, p = 0.003). While there were no significant differences found between-groups, or interactions for all four dependent variables measured, scores related to knowledge, confidence in performing OHAs, and advising parents improved within groups

Effects of Low Temperature Atmospheric Pressure Plasma on Tooth Whitening

Low temperature atmospheric pressure plasma (LT APP) is a novel science being studied as an alternative light source to enhance tooth whitening. The safety and effectiveness of LTAPP has not been established therefore; the purpose of this study was to determine if LTAPP along with H2O2 gel would safely and effectively accelerate the tooth whitening process, in terms of lightness and temperature. Two treatment groups were utilized: 36% H2O2 gel only and 36% H2O2 gel plus LT APP. Control group received no treatment. Experimental teeth were exposed to LT APP at various time intervals ( 10, 15, and 20 minutes). Temperature was measured throughout the treatment. Pre and post photographs were taken to compare color using the CIE L* a* b* system. Only L* (lightness) values were measured. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and t-test at the .05 level. There was a statistically significant difference in mean CIEL* values after exposing teeth to LTAPP plus H2O2 gel versus H2O2 gel only, in the 10 minute group (p-value of .0003) and 20 minute group (p-value of .0103). There was no statistically significant difference in mean CIE L* values among the 15 minute group (p-value of .3815). The temperature in both groups remained under 80°F throughout the study, which is below the thermal threat for vital tooth bleaching. Results indicate that LTAPP + H2O2 mean CIE L* values in the 10 and 20 minute groups were significantly greater than the H2O2 only groups. However, the mean CIE L* values for 15 minute group were not significant

Prenatal and Pediatric Oral Health Education Among Dental Hygiene Programs in the United States

Purpose: Health care and dental providers must be prepared to address the oral health needs of mothers and children in order to reduce the burden of dental disease in these populations. The purpose of this study was to describe the curriculum and clinical experiences related to prenatal and pediatric oral health in the university and community college dental hygiene programs in the United States (US). Methods: Dental hygiene program directors (PDs) from across the US were invited to participate in a cross-sectional electronic survey regarding the prenatal and pediatric oral health curriculum at their institution. In addition to program characteristics, the survey included items pertaining to curriculum and competencies, content delivery methods and hours spent, locations for clinical experiences, collaboration efforts, and professional policy guidelines. Responses were summarized, and descriptive analyses were conducted to examine program competency and curriculum by program type. Results: A total of 124 PDs responded to the survey for a 37.9% response rate; over half (54%) were based in community colleges. Overall, most PDs indicated prenatal (77.3%) and pediatric oral health (66.1%) as a part of their program\u27s core curriculum. However, prenatal oral health was a core competency for 52% of the respondents and less than half (46%) considered pediatric oral health a core competency. Most programs (\u3e75%) reported teaching professional policies and guidelines. Universities reported more hours for prenatal and didactic and clinical experiences than community colleges. The most common barrier reported for prenatal and pediatric clinical experience was the lack of patients (55% and 35%, respectively). Conclusions: Most dental hygiene programs are utilizing a variety of methodologies to incorporate prenatal and pediatric content into the curriculum and students are being exposed to professional guidelines and recommendations for these populations. However, patient care experiences for prenatal and pediatric patients were low due to lack of patients

Disparities in Caregiver-Reported Dental Cavities and Toothaches Among Children in the Special Supplemental Nutrition for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program

Purpose: Dental caries is prevalent among low-income and minority children despite oral health promotion programs. The purpose of this study was to examine disparities associated with caregiver-reported cavities and toothaches among children in the United States aged 2-4 years by their eligibility for and participation in the Special Supplemental Nutrition for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program. Methods: A secondary data analysis was performed using the 2016 National Survey of Children\u27s Health (NSCH) data on children aged 2-4 years (n=7,719) with complete WIC participation information. Three groups were formed based on WIC eligibility and participation status: WIC participants, income-eligible non-participants, and higher-income non-participants. Caregiver-reported cavities and toothaches were compared by WIC eligibility and participation using chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: Among all children in the data set, 2,069 were WIC eligible, 49.8% of whom participated in WIC. Participants in WIC had higher reported cavities and toothaches (10.0% and 5.2%) than income-eligible, or higher-income non-WIC participating children (8.9% and 3.2%; 4.4% and 0.1%, respectively; p \u3c 0.001). However, non-Hispanic, white WIC participants, had a higher proportion of reported cavities (14.0%) and toothaches (8.2%) than income-eligible nonparticipants (6.7% and 1.9%, respectively; p \u3c 0.05). While non-Hispanic, black WIC participating children, had nearly 3.6 times more reported cavities than income-eligible nonparticipants (9.0% vs. 2.5%, p \u3c 0.05). Conclusion: Caregiver-reported cavities and toothaches varied by sociodemographic characteristics within WIC participation and eligibility groups. These findings suggest that more research is warranted to explore factors that are contributing to oral health disparities associated with WIC eligibility and participation

Innovative Collaborative Service-Learning Experience Among Dental Hygiene and Nurse Practitioner Students: A Pediatric Oral Health Pilot Study

Purpose: Preventive oral health behaviors are essential for children during early stages of development. The purpose of this study was to pilot an innovative, collaborative service-learning (ICSL) experience for dental hygiene (DH) and primary care nurse practitioner (NP) students to address pediatric oral health. Methods: A convenience sample of DH and NP students (n=12) participated in the development, planning and delivery of an ICSL activity focusing on pediatric oral health to 44 pre-school aged children. A learning management system was used for the communicating, planning and evaluating the ICSL activity. The interprofessional socialization of the participants was measured using the Interprofessional Socialization and Valuing Scale (ISVS-9A/9/B) survey prior to and following the ICSL experience. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. Results: Twelve students agreed to participate in the ICSL experience (DH= 9 and NP=3) and completed the pre and post ISVS-9A/9B surveys. There was a positive change in interprofessional socialization scales (0.42) after the ICSL experience (p=0.066) for all participants. Marginal statistically significant differences were identified among the DH participants (p=0.058) in their pre and post interprofessional socialization scores. Conclusion: Within the limitations of this pilot study, the ICSL experience had a positive impact on NP and DH students\u27 socialization to interprofessional collaboration. This low resource, service-learning educational project has potential for easy integration within dental hygiene and advanced practice nursing curricula

Oral Health Literacy Inventories for Caregivers of Preschool-Aged Children: A Systematic Review

Purpose: The purpose of this systematic review was to describe the oral health literacy (OHL) inventories that have been used among caregivers of preschool-aged children. Methods: Four databases were searched (CINAHL, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Dentistry & Oral Sciences Source, PubMed), to identify peer-reviewed, full-text studies published in English on the oral health literacy among caregivers of preschool-aged children from 2010-2021. All studies were assessed for eligibility using PRISMA guidelines. Inclusion criteria were experimental, non-experimental, or mixed methods peer-reviewed studies, conducted in the United States. Eligible studies were independently evaluated using the Effective Public Health Practice Project\u27s Quality Assessment Tool. Results: The initial search yielded 182 articles; 11 studies met the inclusion criteria after screening: observational (n=8), experimental (n=2), and quasi-experimental (n=1). Main outcome measures included: oral health literacy, oral health knowledge, oral health attitudes and behaviors, child oral health status (COHS), child oral health-related quality of life (C-OHRQoL), and child oral health-related expenditures. However, this review focused only on caregivers\u27 OHL and the associated measurements for this variable. Most studies utilized the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Dentistry (REALD-30); the remainder used the Basic Research Factors Questionnaire (BRFQ), the Oral Health Literacy Inventory for Parents (OH-LIP), or self-designed survey questions. Conclusions: Few studies met the inclusion criteria. There was an uneven distribution of studies using different inventories for the measurement of oral health literacy limiting the generalizability of the findings to low-income and minority groups. Most caregiver OHL studies focused on dental word recognition, only a few measured knowledge and comprehension. More comprehensive inventories could be designed to evaluate caregivers\u27 knowledge and understanding of dental terms

Occupational Health Practices Among Dental Care Professionals Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has posed a substantial burden on dental care professionals. While dentistry is known as one of the most exposed and high-risk professions, dental care professionals are indeed at even greater risk. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess knowledge, attitudes, occupational health practices, personal protective equipment usage, and mental stressors during COVID-19 pandemic among dental care professionals. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among dental care professionals who were subscribers to a dental hygiene journal using a self-administered online survey (n = 1047 respondents). Cross-tabulations were performed to determine differences in the responses to the statements related to different domains. RESULTS: COVID-19 impacted the healthy work-life balance (p \u3c  0.001) and caused sleeping difficulty among the respondents (p \u3c  0.001). Moreover, a lower response on changing respirators and gloves for each patient compared with before viral pandemic was observed (p \u3c  0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Ongoing training on infection control, occupational health practices, and PPE usage can prevent the transmission of COVID-19 among dental care professionals and the public. Lack of adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) is a burden for applying occupational health practices in dental clinics and present a risk to the public. COVID-19 may contribute to developing psychological stress and disrupt healthy work-life balance among dental professionals

Oral Health Education and Promotion Activities by Early Head Start Programs in the United States: A Systematic Review

Purpose: Dental caries is a non-communicable, preventable disease that disproportionately affects low-income children in the United States (US). The purpose of this systematic review was to describe oral health education and promotion activities designed to prevent early childhood caries (ECC) provided by Early Head Start (EHS) programs in the United States. Methods: Five databases were searched including CINAHL, Dentistry & Oral Sciences Source through EBSCO, PubMed, Google Scholar, and the Wiley Online Library, to identify peer-reviewed quantitative studies published in English on oral health education and promotion activities within EHS programs from 2000 to 2019. Studies were assessed for eligibility using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses flow diagram (PRISMA). Two researchers independently evaluated the included studies. Results: The initial search yielded a total of 363 articles. Following the screening process, five studies met the inclusion criteria (observational, n=2; quasi-experimental, n=3). The main outcome measures included oral health knowledge, attitudes and behaviors, oral health education, oral health promotion, and oral health activities. Three studies investigated the effectiveness of oral health education and promotion interventions among EHS staff and parents. Two studies examined oral health activities such as education, toothbrushing instructions, toothpaste use, dietary education, and dental assessment. Conclusion: Studies that focused on increasing pediatric oral health knowledge and practice behaviors among both EHS staff members and parents reflected positive outcomes. Ongoing research is needed to examine the effectiveness of oral health education and promotion activities as they relate to the oral health outcomes of children enrolled in EHS programs

Recommendations for Exploring the Impact of the Opioid Epidemic: A Proposed Management Framework

It is imperative to prepare Business School Health Services Administration (HSAD) graduates with management tools to assess patient need and reduce barriers to care alongside clinicians. HSAD programs require interprofessional learning activities to shape competency and skill in community needs assessment. This HSAD program works collaboratively across the University community and with external partners to offer such an experience. Integrating this concept into the curriculum encourages graduates as early careerists to implement services and resources for patient need. Understanding that problems exists is a precursor to an economic valuation of such prevalent conditions as the dynamic opioid epidemic