scholarly journals Dental care for drug users in Norway: Dental professionals’ attitudes to treatment and experiences with interprofessional collaboration

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ewa Hovden ◽  
Vibeke Ansteinsson ◽  
Ingrid Volden Klepaker ◽  
Eeva Widström ◽  
Rasa Skudutyte-Rystad

Abstract Background: The present study aimed to assess dental professionals’ attitudes and experiences related to the dental treatment of drug users and to interprofessional collaboration with the rehabilitation institutions (RIs). Methods: The study population comprised 141 dentists and dental hygienists (response rate 73%) working in the Public Dental Service (PDS) in three counties in Norway. All of the participants completed an electronically distributed questionnaire on existing practices and experiences regarding dental treatment for drug users and interprofessional collaboration with RIs. The Norwegian Centre for Research Data (NSD) approved the study.Results: Thirty-five percent of the dentists and 10% of the dental hygienists had treated five or more drug users per month (p < 0.05). The majority of dentists and dental hygienists used more time for examination and treatment of drug users compared to other patient groups. Over 70% of dental clinicians considered drug users as demanding patients due to fear, missing appointments, and poor compliance with oral hygiene advice. Multivariable logistic regression analyses showed that attitudes and experiences with dental treatment of drug users were significantly associated with background characteristics of professionals. The overall perception was that drug users often had higher expectations of dental treatment than what could be defined as necessary care and provided by the PDS. One-third of dental professionals reported that they were satisfied with the collaboration they had with RIs . Most of the respondents agreed that personnel from RIs could positively influence interprofessional collaboration by having sufficient knowledge of drug users statutory rights to free of charge dental treatment, as well as by close follow-up and motivation of patients before dental treatment.Conclusions: Dental professionals perceived the management of drug users as demanding due to dental fear, difficulties in coping with appointments, poor compliance to preventive measures, and disagreement between dental treatment defined as necessary and drug users’ expectations. Attitudes and experiences related to dental treatment of drug users were significantly associated with background characteristics of clinicians. Organizational barriers regarding leadership, accessibility, and collaborative routines, as well as lack of interprofessional communication, suggest current models of health care delivery to drug users need reviewing.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ewa Hovden ◽  
Vibeke Ansteinsson ◽  
Ingrid Volden Klepaker ◽  
Eeva Widström ◽  
Rasa Skudutyte-Rystad

Abstract Background: The present study aimed to assess dental professionals’ attitudes and experiences related to the dental treatment of drug users and to interprofessional collaboration with the rehabilitation institutions (RIs).Methods: The study population comprised 141 dentists and dental hygienists (response rate 73%) working in the Public Dental Service (PDS) in three counties in Norway. All of the participants completed an electronically distributed questionnaire on existing practices and experiences regarding dental treatment for drug users and interprofessional collaboration with RIs. The Norwegian Centre for Research Data (NSD) approved the study.Results: Thirty-five percent of the dentists and 10% of the dental hygienists had treated five or more drug users per month (p < 0.05). The majority of dentists and dental hygienists used more time for examination and treatment of drug users compared to other patient groups. Over 70% of dental clinicians considered drug users as demanding patients due to fear, missing appointments, and poor compliance with oral hygiene advice. Multivariable logistic regression analyses showed that attitudes and experiences with dental treatment of drug users were significantly associated with background characteristics of professionals. The overall perception was that drug users often had higher expectations of dental treatment than what could be defined as necessary care and provided by the PDS. One-third of dental professionals reported that they were satisfied with the collaboration they had with RIs . Most of the respondents agreed that personnel from RIs could positively influence interprofessional collaboration by having sufficient knowledge of drug users statutory rights to free of charge dental treatment, as well as by close follow-up and motivation of patients before dental treatment.Conclusions: Dental professionals perceived the management of drug users as demanding due to dental fear, difficulties in coping with appointments, poor compliance to preventive measures, and disagreement between dental treatment defined as necessary and drug users’ expectations. Attitudes and experiences related to dental treatment of drug users were significantly associated with background characteristics of clinicians. Organizational barriers regarding leadership, accessibility, and collaborative routines, as well as lack of interprofessional communication, suggest current models of health care delivery to drug users need reviewing.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ewa S. Hovden ◽  
Vibeke E. Ansteinsson ◽  
Ingrid Volden Klepaker ◽  
Eeva Widström ◽  
Rasa Skudutyte-Rysstad

Abstract Background The present study aimed to assess dental professionals’ attitudes and experiences related to the dental treatment of drug users and to interprofessional collaboration with the rehabilitation institutions (RIs). Methods The study population comprised 141 dentists and dental hygienists (response rate 73%) working in the Public Dental Service (PDS) in three counties in Norway. All of the participants completed an electronically distributed questionnaire on existing practices and experiences regarding dental treatment for drug users and interprofessional collaboration with RIs. The Norwegian Centre for Research Data (NSD) approved the study. Results Thirty-five percent of the dentists and 10% of the dental hygienists had treated five or more drug users per month (p <  0.05). The majority of dentists and dental hygienists used more time for examination and treatment of drug users compared to other patient groups. Over 70% of dental clinicians considered drug users as demanding patients due to fear, missing appointments, and poor compliance with oral hygiene advice. Multivariable logistic regression analyses showed that attitudes and experiences with dental treatment of drug users were significantly associated with background characteristics of professionals. The overall perception was that drug users often had higher expectations of dental treatment than what could be defined as necessary care and provided by the PDS. One-third of dental professionals reported that they were satisfied with the collaboration they had with RIs. Most of the respondents agreed that personnel from RIs could positively influence interprofessional collaboration by having sufficient knowledge of drug users statutory rights to free of charge dental treatment, as well as by close follow-up and motivation of patients before dental treatment. Conclusions Dental professionals perceived the management of drug users as demanding due to dental fear, difficulties in coping with appointments, poor compliance to preventive measures, and disagreement between dental treatment defined as necessary and drug users’ expectations. Attitudes and experiences related to dental treatment of drug users were significantly associated with background characteristics of clinicians. Organizational barriers regarding leadership, accessibility, and collaborative routines, as well as lack of interprofessional communication, suggest current models of health care delivery to drug users need reviewing.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ewa Hovden ◽  
Vibeke Ansteinsson ◽  
Ingrid Volden Klepaker ◽  
Eeva Widström ◽  
Rasa Skudutyte-Rystad

Abstract Objective: The present study aimed to assess dental professionals’ attitudes and experiences related to the dental treatment of drug users and experiences with interprofessional collaboration with the rehabilitation institutions. Materials and methods: The study population comprised 141 dentists and dental hygienists (response rate 73%) working in the Public Dental Service (PDS) in three counties in Norway. All of the participants completed an electronically distributed questionnaire on existing practices and experiences regarding dental treatment for drug users and interprofessional collaboration with rehabilitation institutions (RIs). The Norwegian Centre for Research Data (NSD) approved the study. Results: The majority of dentists and dental hygienists in the present study used more time for examination and treatment of drug users compared to other patient groups. Over 70% of dental clinicians considered drug users as demanding patients due to fear, missing appointments, and poor compliance with oral hygiene advice. The overall perception was that drug users often had higher expectations of dental treatment than what could be defined as necessary care and provided by the PDS. One-third of dental professionals reported that they were satisfied with the collaboration they had with RIs . Most of the respondents agreed that personnel from rehabilitation institutions could positively influence interprofessional collaboration by having sufficient knowledge of drug users statutory rights to free of charge dental treatment, as well as by close follow-up and motivation of patients before dental treatment. Conclusions: Dental professionals perceived the management of drug users as demanding due to dental fear, difficulties in coping with appointments, poor compliance to preventive measures, and disagreement between dental treatment defined as necessary and drug users’ expectations. Organizational barriers regarding leadership, accessibility, and collaborative routines, as well as lack of interprofessional communication, suggest current models of health care delivery to drug users need reviewing.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ewa Hovden ◽  
Vibeke Ansteinsson ◽  
Ingrid Volden Klepaker ◽  
Eeva Widström ◽  
Rasa Skudutyte-Rystad

Abstract Objective: The present study aimed to assess dental professionals’ attitudes and experiences related to the dental treatment of drug users and experiences with interprofessional collaboration with the rehabilitation institutions. Materials and methods: The study population comprised 141 dentists and dental hygienists (response rate 73%) working in the Public Dental Service (PDS) in three counties in Norway. All of the participants completed an electronically distributed questionnaire on existing practices and experiences regarding dental treatment for drug users and interprofessional collaboration with rehabilitation institutions (RIs). The Norwegian Centre for Research Data (NSD) approved the study. Results: The majority of dentists and dental hygienists in the present study used more time for examination and treatment of drug users compared to other patient groups. Over 70% of dental clinicians considered drug users as demanding patients due to fear, missing appointments, and poor compliance with oral hygiene advice. The overall perception was that drug users often had higher expectations of dental treatment than what could be defined as necessary care and provided by the PDS. One-third of dental professionals reported that they were satisfied with the collaboration they had with RIs . Most of the respondents agreed that personnel from rehabilitation institutions could positively influence interprofessional collaboration by having sufficient knowledge of drug users statutory rights to free of charge dental treatment, as well as by close follow-up and motivation of patients before dental treatment. Conclusions: Dental professionals perceived the management of drug users as demanding due to dental fear, difficulties in coping with appointments, poor compliance to preventive measures, and disagreement between dental treatment defined as necessary and drug users’ expectations. Organizational barriers regarding leadership, accessibility, and collaborative routines, as well as lack of interprofessional communication, suggest current models of health care delivery to drug users need reviewing.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neel Shimpi ◽  
Aloksagar Panny ◽  
Ingrid Glurich ◽  
Po-Huang Chyou ◽  
Amit Acharya

Introduction: To conduct a statewide survey among Wisconsin-based dental providers evaluating current knowledgeability, attitudes and practice behaviors surrounding management of patients with diabetes/prediabetes in the dental setting. The study explored perceptions on feasibility, value, barriers, and current status of integrated care model (ICM) adoption by dental practicesMaterials and Methods: A 32-question paper-based survey was mailed to all licensed dentists and dental hygienists practicing in Wisconsin. The study was conducted over a 4 week period in 2019. The survey instrument was adapted from a previous validated survey and was expanded to include questions on ICM adoption. Content and validity analyses and beta testing were conducted prior to dissemination of the survey. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were applied for data analyses. Thematic analyses was performed on open-ended questions.Results: Survey response rate was 12% (N = 854/7,356) representing 41% dentists and 59% dental hygienists. While 68% reported educating patients on oral health-diabetes association, only 18% reported medical consultations to inform dental treatment, and “frequent” (22%) or “occasional” (40%), medical triage. Knowledge-based questions were correctly answered by &gt;70% of participants. While 50% valued chair-side glycemic screening and 85% supported non-invasive chair-side screening to identify at-risk patients,&gt;88% relied on patient-reported diabetic status. Barriers to ICM adoption included time investment (70%), patient activation/cooperation (62%), cost (50%), insurance coverage (50%), infrequent interdisciplinary communication (46%), lack of equipment (33%) and provider (31%).Conclusion: Low rates of ICM adoption, chair-side testing, medical consultation and triage, and need for educational curricula reform were identified.


Author(s):  
Luigi F. Lucaccini ◽  
Dale W. Podshadley ◽  
Leonard H. Kreit

Current projections of the growth in demand for dental treatment services in the United States indicate that the increase in demand anticipated by the end of the coming decade will far outstrip the expected growth in the number of practicing dental professionals. A significant increase in the productivity of the average practitioner is necessary if the anticipated demand for services is to be met. More efficient means of delivering high quality dental service must be developed and reflected in the training of dental and dental auxiliary students. Current research and development activities in dental education toward this goal are described. Some areas of dental education particularly amenable to human factors technology are considered. Suggestions are offered for means whereby the human factors community can become more closely acquainted with the goals of dental education programs and contribute effectively to the attainment of these goals.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (03) ◽  
pp. 395-400
Author(s):  
Palak Srivastava ◽  
Pranjan Mitra

The ongoing COVID19 pandemic has been a jarring blow to dental professionals as dental treatment requires close face-to-face encounters. To sustain the dental practice, Teledentistry is a cogent solution to continue providing dental care without adding to the risk of cross-infection via information technology. It is a necessary tool to obtain a balance between the safety of health care professionals still providing dental care to patients needing immediate intervention. The future of teledentistry is not limited to the pandemic its improvident to restrict the use of teledentistry when it has the potential to enhance the present dental health care delivery system.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 80
Author(s):  
Hidenobu Senpuku ◽  
Masahiko Fukumoto ◽  
Toshikazu Uchiyama ◽  
Chieko Taguchi ◽  
Itaru Suzuki ◽  
...  

Dental professionals are at increased risk of being infected with airborne pathogens such as SARS-CoV-2 because they are often exposed to droplets/aerosols production during dental treatment. To scientifically clear the effects of extraoral and oral suctions on the droplets and aerosols produced by dental treatments using an ultrasonic scaler was analyzed. The adenosine triphosphate and bacteria in droplets and aerosols produced during simulated scaling were quantitatively observed by reactions with luciferin/luciferase and incubation in culture plates to grow bacteria, respectively. The protection against spreading droplets and aerosols by oral and extraoral suctions was recognized, and the areas were limited to the left and posterior sides of the dental chair head when a right-handed dentist and dental hygienist performed scaling. Extraoral suction is a very useful tool for reducing the infection risk of COVID-19 in dental care, but the effective area is limited depending on physical characteristics of dentist and dental hygienist.


Author(s):  
Bassel Tarakji ◽  
Mohammad Zakaria Nassani ◽  
Faisal Mehsen Alali ◽  
Anas B. Alsalhani ◽  
Nasser Raqe Alqhtani ◽  
...  

Dental professionals have a major role in the fight against the spread and transmission of COVID-19. This study aimed to evaluate awareness and practice of dentists in Saudi Arabia regarding COVID-19 and the utilization of infection control methods. A 24-item questionnaire was developed and distributed through social media to 627 dentists working in Saudi Arabia. 177 questionnaires were completed (28.2% response rate). Most dentists were aware about the transmission, incubation time and main clinical symptoms of COVID-19. Almost 83% of the respondents appreciate the risk of droplets, aerosols and airborne particles in transmission of COVID-19 in the dental clinic. Among the common practices of participants are measuring patient’s body temperature before undertaking a dental treatment (88.7%), cleaning the environmental surfaces at the dental clinic after each patient (91.5%) and restriction of dental treatment to emergency cases (82.5%). It seems that practicing dentists in Saudi Arabia are fairly aware about COVID-19. The practices of the surveyed dentists appear to be mostly consistent with the current guidelines and recommendations for infection control of COVID-19 in the dental clinic. Some drawbacks in knowledge and a number of inappropriate practices can be identified and require the attention of health authorities.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Masaki Kobayashi ◽  
Mio Ito ◽  
Yasuyuki Iwasa ◽  
Yoshiko Motohashi ◽  
Ayako Edahiro ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The prevalence of oral diseases in people with dementia has increased, and patients with dementia have worse oral health than people without dementia. However, in the provision of oral care, these patients often exhibit care-resistant behaviours. Empathy is important for health care professionals who provide dental care for people with dementia. A study was conducted to assess whether a multimodal comprehensive care methodology training programme, Humanitude™, was associated with an improvement in empathy for people with dementia among oral health care professionals. Methods This research was a pre-post prospective study. A total of 45 dentists and dental hygienists participated in a 7-h multimodal comprehensive care methodology training programme. Participants’ empathy for their patients was evaluated with the Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy-Health Professionals Version (JSPE-HP) before the training and 1 month after the training (primary outcome). Each participant listed 3 patients with poor oral health due to the refusal of usual oral care or dental treatment from his or her clinical practice. The oral health of the 3 care-resistant patients listed by each participant was evaluated by the Oral Health Assessment Tool (OHAT) before the training and 1 month after the training (secondary outcome). Results The post-training response rate was 87% (21 dentists and 18 dental hygienists). From pre-training to post-training, the multimodal comprehensive care methodology training significantly increased the mean empathy score (from 113.97 to 122.95, P < 0.05, effect size = 0.9). Regardless of gender, profession and years of clinical experience, all post-training subgroup scores were higher than the pre-training subgroup scores. The tongue, natural teeth, and oral hygiene scores of patients with dementia who resisted usual oral care or dental treatment, as assessed by the OHAT, were significantly improved compared with those before the training. Conclusions The multimodal comprehensive care methodology training was associated with an improvement in oral health professionals’ empathy for patients with dementia. These findings suggest that randomized controlled trials with large sample sizes will be needed. Trial registration UMIN Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN-CTR), UMIN000041687. Registered 4 September 2020 – Retrospectively registered, https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr_e/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000047586


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