Iowa dentists' involvement in care for patients who are homebound. 2012

Catherine Watkins, and Ronald L Ettinger, and Howard Cowen, and Fang Qian, and Deborah V Dawson
Department of Prosthodontics, College of Dentistry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA. ronald-ettinger@uiowa.edu

This study investigated the frequency of Iowa dentists' provision of in-office and out-of-office dental care for people who are homebound, as well as comparing the practice and educational characteristics among dentists who did and did not provide care for patients who were homebound. The authors mailed a survey form to all licensed dentists on the Iowa State Health Professional license database (n = 1,168), excluding pediatric dentists and orthodontists. A second mailing was sent to all nonrespondents four months later, resulting in 638 returned forms for a 54.6% response rate. The questionnaire included two outcome responses associated with the treatment in the dentist's office or in the patient's home for patients who are homebound. About 40% of Iowa dentists reported providing care in the office to patients who are homebound, but care outside of the office was provided by fewer dentists (6%) who had more years of practice experience. These results suggest an increased sense of professional or community responsibility among these older Iowa dentists. Education efforts may increase homebound care and more involvement of younger dentists.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007484 Iowa State bounded on the north by Minnesota, on the east by Wisconsin and Illinois, on the south by Missouri, and on the west by Nebraska and South Dakota.
D008297 Male Males
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D009735 Nursing Homes Facilities which provide nursing supervision and limited medical care to persons who do not require hospitalization. Homes, Nursing,Nursing Home
D011331 Private Practice Practice of a health profession by an individual, offering services on a person-to-person basis, as opposed to group or partnership practice. Solo Practice,Practice, Private,Practice, Solo,Practices, Private,Practices, Solo,Private Practices,Solo Practices
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
D003729 Dental Care The total of dental diagnostic, preventive, and restorative services provided to meet the needs of a patient (from Illustrated Dictionary of Dentistry, 1982). Care, Dental
D003770 Dental Offices The room or rooms in which the dentist and dental staff provide care. Offices include all rooms in the dentist's office suite. Dental Office,Office, Dental,Offices, 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
D004497 Education, Dental Use for articles concerning dental education in general. Dental Education

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