Objective
The purpose of this study was to assess oral health knowledge, attitudes, and practices of women who had given birth in the United States within the past 2 years, and to evaluate factors ...affecting women's dental service utilization during pregnancy.
Methods
This study used a descriptive, cross-sectional design and employed non-probability sampling methods. The 47-item questionnaire included: oral health behaviors (8), knowledge (5), attitudes (12), and practices during pregnancy (10), and demographic (12) questions. Participants were recruited through multiple postpartum support group forums on Facebook. Logistic regression was used to identify potential predictors of dental utilization during pregnancy.
Results
Ninety-one percent of the participants had at least an associate's degree, and 85.6% had dental insurance coverage during pregnancy. Approximately 56% knew the connection between poor oral health and pregnancy complications; however, only 11% obtained this information from their OBGYNs and 10% from their dental offices. Although women aware of the association were more likely to visit the dental office during pregnancy (64%, p < .001), the majority (74%) who experienced tooth or gum related issues during pregnancy reported not receiving any dental or gum treatment. Women, who had positive dental attitudes and awareness of an increased risk of pregnancy complications due to poor oral health, were more likely to receive dental care during pregnancy regardless of dental coverage.
Conclusion
Medical and dental providers could play an active role in educating women on the importance of having good oral health, potential oral/systemic relationships, and the benefits of receiving dental care during pregnancy.
Introduction
In the United States, approximately 2.7 million grandparents have permanent custody of their grandchildren. Prevalence of primary dental caries has remained steady for those living in ...poverty, and among children of color. Children in the care of their grandparents frequently live in socioeconomically disadvantaged households, where dental disparities continue to exist. Research regarding the grandfamily dynamic as it relates to oral health, is limited. The purpose of this study was to investigate oral health perceptions, behaviors, and knowledge of grandparents raising/caring for their grandchildren; and explore how a grandparent caregiver’s oral health knowledge influences their perceptions/behaviors regarding their grandchild’s oral health.
Methods
This descriptive, cross-sectional survey research used non-probability sampling strategies to recruit grandparents who were the primary caregiver of their grandchildren, aged birth to eighteen years. A validated questionnaire was employed, both in-person and electronically.
Results
A total of 75 grandparents participated and answered 52% (SD = 27%) of oral health knowledge questions correctly. The study showed a correlation between low-income grandparents (M = 3.94, SD = 1.02) having higher pediatric oral health knowledge. Additionally, results indicated the greater the knowledge, the more positive intent to assist grandchildren with routine brushing and in checking their teeth for cavities.
Conclusions
This study demonstrated that regardless of socioeconomic status, grandparent caregiver’s oral health knowledge can positively affect their oral health-related behaviors and values, which could influence their grandchildren’s' oral health. Further research regarding grandparent caregiver utilization of public health pediatric services and dental education programs, and the potential influence of these programs on pediatric oral health, should be explored.
The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of current professional guidelines regarding oral health care through pregnancy and infancy stages, and to include risks associated with treatment, ...as well as health care providers' beliefs and attitudes surrounding treatment of these specific populations. Although dental treatment during the second trimester is ideal, there is no indication that preventive or restorative dental treatment during any trimester of pregnancy can cause harm to the mother or developing fetus. Despite these recommendations, routine dental care is often voluntarily avoided or postponed for the duration of pregnancy. Post-delivery, preventive oral care is typically postponed for a child until 3 years of age, years after the first tooth has erupted. While most health care professionals agree on the importance of good oral health in every stage of life, it is not being addressed. Whether it is based on misconceptions or lack of knowledge, health care providers are performing inadequate oral care for these patients. Recommendations to increase health care during pregnancy and infancy should include improved advocacy of the established oral health care guidelines within each professional organization. In addition, curriculum revision should occur at the university level, to ensure future health care professionals will have a strong oral health foundation. Lastly, a collaborative effort needs to occur between all health care providers to better treat the patient's overall health, not only the specifics of one professional discipline. As health care professionals we are all responsible for the complete well-being of our patients, and an interdisciplinary approach will better ensure we accomplish this task.
The aim of this qualitative, phenomenological study was to explore the attitudes and perceptions of public health dental hygienists on providing preventive care to underserved populations in ...Massachusetts.
Non-probability purposive sampling was used for initial participant recruitment, and snowball sampling occurred thereafter. Data collection occurred through semi-structured interviews. Qualitative analysis was conducted using Pitney and Parker's eight-step CREATIVE process.
Data saturation occurred with 10 participants (n=10), one-third of the public health dental hygienists who are practicing in Massachusetts. The majority of practice settings included school-based programs (70%), while programs for children with special needs (10%) were the least common. Two major themes emerged from the data; (a) the opportunity to be an oral health change agent and (b) barriers to practice. Six subcategories emerged from the data and are reviewed within the context of their associated themes. Additionally, career satisfaction emerged as an unintended theme, and was reported as the driving force for the majority of participants.
This study revealed a better understanding of the public health dental hygiene workforce model in Massachusetts. Public health dental hygienists in Massachusetts perceive themselves as change agents within the health care profession, and although barriers to practice are plentiful, these oral health care professionals are committed to improving access to dental care.
Oral and craniofacial conditions or diseases can impact an individual's health and quality of life. The purpose of this study was to assess the perceived oral health related quality of life (OHRQoL) ...of children, and evaluate the reported level of agreement between caregivers and their children.
Purposive sampling was used to recruit children ages 8-15, and their caregivers from a dental clinic in a pediatric hospital for this descriptive, cross-sectional study. A modified version of a validated measure, Child Oral Health Impact Profile-Short Form (COHIP-SF), was used for a 22-item questionnaire encompassing three subscales: oral health, functional well-being, and social emotional well-being. Two additional items were included to assess child/caregiver's level of agreement. A dental chart review was also conducted to assess the child's overbite, overjet, and decayed surfaces. Data were analyzed through descriptive statistics and examined for assumptions of normality and linearity.
Sixty child/caregiver pairs (n=120) participated in this study. Overbite, overjet and decayed surfaces were not found to be related to any OHRQoL variable, including child/caregiver ratings and overall agreement (
>.05). Average OHRQoL scores for caregivers found to be more positive those of their children (
=.02). Agreement between caregivers and the child's gender was shown to be significant (
=.01). Female child scores differed significantly from males with respect to their caregiver responses (
=.02). Caregivers rated a higher OHRQoL for female children, thus overestimating their female child's reported OHRQoL.
The moderate level of agreement found between children and caregivers reinforces the importance of including the child, as well as the caregiver, when assessing OHRQoL.
Research indicates a high prevalence of oral disease among Albanians. There is a lack of evidence regarding oral health beliefs and practices among Albanian immigrants in the United States and ...abroad. This research seeks to better understand the oral health beliefs, attitudes, and practices among Albanian immigrants living in the United States. A descriptive study was employed with a purposive sample (n = 211) of Albanian adult immigrants. A cross-sectional validated questionnaire was provided in both English and Albanian, with a response rate of 66 %. Results revealed a high use of dental services among respondents, with 68 % reported as having a dental visit and cleaning within the past year. Although 25 % of participants stated their parents and grandparents have used folk remedies, 88 % of them stated that use of folk remedies did not influence their decision to seek professional dental care. Increasing age was inversely associated with the belief in the importance of retaining natural teeth, as older respondents were less likely to agree with the prior statement; older respondents were more likely to agree with the statement “bleeding gums are normal.” Low oral health care access and utilization was not a factor among the majority of the Albanian immigrants studied. Focusing on providing age appropriate oral health education and behavioral strategies could increase oral health knowledge and potentially improve poor oral health status among this population.
Immigrant Caregivers of Young Children Finnegan, Deborah A.; Rainchuso, Lori; Jenkins, Susan ...
Journal of community health,
04/2016, Volume:
41, Issue:
2
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
The incidence of early childhood caries (ECC) is a global public health concern. The oral health knowledge of a caregiver can affect a child’s risk for developing ECC. An exploratory study of the ...oral health knowledge and behaviors among caregivers of children 6 years of age and younger was conducted with a convenience sample of adults (n = 114) enrolled in English language or high school equivalency examination courses. The majority of study participants were born in Asia (47 %). Other birth regions included South America (16 %), Caribbean (16 %), Africa (10 %), and Central America (6 %). Study findings showed caregivers with low oral health knowledge were more likely to engage in behaviors that increase a child’s risk for developing ECC. A statistically significant relationship was found between participants’ rating of their child’s dental health as poor and the belief that children should not be weaned from the nursing bottle by 12 months of age (P = 0.002), brushing should not begin upon tooth eruption (P = 0.01), and fluoride does not strengthen teeth and prevent dental caries (P = 0.005). Subjects who prechewed their child’s food also exhibited behaviors including sharing eating utensils or a toothbrush with their child (P 0.001). Additional caregiver behaviors included providing their child with a bottle containing cariogenic liquids in a crib (P 0.001). As a result of this research, it is pertinent that culturally sensitive oral health promotion programs are developed and implemented to raise awareness and reduce the risk of dental disease among immigrant populations.
Research indicates that while most nondental medical providers
believe pediatric oral assessments are important, most lack education and training.
This study investigated a metropolitan area in ...Southern California medical
providers’ knowledge, attitudes and practices on oral health assessments. Results
indicate a high incidence of incorrect dental knowledge. Common barriers were
lack of knowledge and time. Early intervention and timely dental referrals among
nondental medical providers can play a significant role in promoting oral health.
The objective of this pilot study was to demonstrate the number of patients at increased risk for type 2 diabetes development using a validated survey; and to assess the rate of compliance for A1c ...screening in an educational dental hygiene setting.
This was a descriptive study using a purposive sample of patients in an academic dental hygiene clinic, who were 18 years or older, not diagnosed with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes. Utilizing the American Diabetes Association adopted diabetes risk survey, patients determined to be at increased risk for type 2 diabetes were offered the opportunity for further assessment by having their A1c tested using a point of care instrument. Patients demonstrating an increased risk for prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, with either the survey or the point of care instrument, were referred to their primary physician for further evaluation.
A total 179 of the 422 solicited patients agreed to participate in the American Diabetes Association adopted diabetes risk survey. According to the survey guidelines, 77 participants were considered increased risk for type 2 diabetes for an at-risk prevalence of 48% (95% Confidence Interval (CI): 40 to 56%). The at-risk participants were then asked to have an A1c test of which 45 agreed (compliance rate 58%, 95% CI: 47 to 70%). Using American Diabetes Association A1c parameters, 60.98% (n=25) indicated a prediabetes (5.7 to 6.4%) range, and 4.88% (n=2) indicated a diabetes (≥6.5%) range.
Utilizing the American Diabetes Association adopted diabetes risk survey in any dental setting could provide patients with invaluable health information, and potentially improve overall health outcomes.
Dental hygiene professionals need to be prepared as part of their entry level education process, to treat the wide range of culturally diverse patients they may encounter in the United States. The ...purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the perceptions and experiences of a cohort of senior dental hygiene students in regards to their preparedness to treat a culturally diverse patient.
A purposeful sample of second year dental hygiene students (n=18) participated in semi-structured group interviews before and after the treatment of a culturally diverse patient. Data was gathered and analyzed using a thematic analysis. Demographics were enumerated using frequency percentiles, means, and summary statistics.
Prior to the dental hygiene care appointment, the participants reported feeling confident and prepared to treat culturally diverse patients. Following the dental hygiene care appointment, participants reported feeling that more education and an increased number of clinical experiences were needed with culturally diverse patients.
Exposing dental hygiene students to diverse patients in a clinical setting as part of the curriculum was an effective method towards building cultural preparedness.
