Dental providers' attitudes regarding the application of fluoride varnish by pediatric health care providers. 2009

Nancy L Swigonski, and Karen M Yoder, and Gerardo Maupome, and Susan Ofner
Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis 46202-2876, USA.

OBJECTIVE To ascertain what proportion of dental hygienists and dentists in Indiana, United States, support the application of fluoride varnish in medical offices, and to determine if support differed by dental provider characteristics, practice characteristics, a limited assessment of knowledge about fluoride, or use of fluoride. METHODS Practicing dental hygienists and dentists in 2005 were asked to fill out a mail questionnaire. Logistic regression models tested the association of independent variables with support for medical providers applying varnish. RESULTS Response rates were 36% (dental hygienists) and 37% (dentists); median year of graduation was 1988 and 1981. Sixty-six percent of respondents were in solo practices, 82% of dentists in general practice, 5% in dental pediatrics, and 13% were other specialists. While 51.2% of dental professionals agreed that medical practices could apply fluoride varnish, 29% responded "none" should be allowed, and 19% were undecided. In the multivariable logistic regression for support of medical practices applying fluoride versus not supporting it, three practice characteristics and two measures of fluoride use were significant. Provider characteristics and a limited assessment about knowledge about fluoride were not significant. CONCLUSIONS Half of dental professionals felt that it was appropriate for medical providers to apply fluoride varnish; pediatric dental professionals were less supportive. A few dental practice characteristics were associated with acceptance of the use of fluoride varnish by medical care providers: targeting messages to dental hygienists and those with practices in mixed rural-urban areas may be a useful approach to garner greater support for this medical/dental partnership.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007196 Indiana State bounded on the north by Lake Michigan and Michigan, on the east by Ohio, on the south by Kentucky, and on the west by Illinois.
D007400 Interprofessional Relations The reciprocal interaction of two or more professional individuals. Etiquette, Medical,Medical Etiquette,Relations, Interprofessional
D007722 Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice Knowledge, attitudes, and associated behaviors which pertain to health-related topics such as PATHOLOGIC PROCESSES or diseases, their prevention, and treatment. This term refers to non-health workers and health workers (HEALTH PERSONNEL). Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
D010372 Pediatrics A medical specialty concerned with maintaining health and providing medical care to children from birth to adolescence.
D011364 Professional Practice The use of one's knowledge in a particular profession. It includes, in the case of the field of biomedicine, professional activities related to health care and the actual performance of the duties related to the provision of health care. Practice, Professional,Practices, Professional,Professional Practices
D011795 Surveys and Questionnaires Collections of data obtained from voluntary subjects. The information usually takes the form of answers to questions, or suggestions. Community Survey,Nonrespondent,Questionnaire,Questionnaires,Respondent,Survey,Survey Method,Survey Methods,Surveys,Baseline Survey,Community Surveys,Methodology, Survey,Nonrespondents,Questionnaire Design,Randomized Response Technique,Repeated Rounds of Survey,Respondents,Survey Methodology,Baseline Surveys,Design, Questionnaire,Designs, Questionnaire,Methods, Survey,Questionnaire Designs,Questionnaires and Surveys,Randomized Response Techniques,Response Technique, Randomized,Response Techniques, Randomized,Survey, Baseline,Survey, Community,Surveys, Baseline,Surveys, Community,Techniques, Randomized Response
D002327 Cariostatic Agents Substances that inhibit or arrest DENTAL CARIES formation. (Boucher's Clinical Dental Terminology, 4th ed) Cariostatic Effect,Cariostatic Effects,Agent, Cariostatic,Agents, Cariostatic,Cariostatic Agent,Effect, Cariostatic,Effects, Cariostatic
D003756 Dental Hygienists Persons trained in an accredited school or dental college and licensed by the state in which they reside to provide dental prophylaxis under the direction of a licensed dentist. Dental Hygienist,Hygienist, Dental,Hygienists, Dental
D003815 Dentists Individuals licensed to practice DENTISTRY. Dentists, Pediatric,Dentists, Prosthetic,Dentists, Restorative,Periodontists,Prosthodontists,Dentist,Dentist, Pediatric,Dentist, Prosthetic,Dentist, Restorative,Pediatric Dentist,Pediatric Dentists,Periodontist,Prosthetic Dentist,Prosthetic Dentists,Prosthodontist,Restorative Dentist,Restorative Dentists
D005460 Fluorides, Topical Fluorides, usually in pastes or gels, used for topical application to reduce the incidence of DENTAL CARIES. Fluoride Varnishes,Topical Fluorides,Varnishes, Fluoride

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