1. Knowledgeability, attitude, and practice behaviors of primary care providers toward managing patients' oral health care in medical practice: Wisconsin statewide survey.
- Author
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Shimpi N, Glurich I, Panny A, and Acharya A
- Subjects
- Attitude of Health Personnel, Humans, Primary Health Care, Surveys and Questionnaires, Wisconsin, Health Personnel, Oral Health
- Abstract
Background: In this study, the authors sought to explore the receptivity, preparedness, and rates of adoption of integrated medical-dental models of care (MOCs) in the practice setting among primary care providers (PCPs) treating patients with diabetes mellitus (DM)., Methods: The authors conducted an anonymous statewide survey targeting PCPs across a range of Wisconsin-based practice settings to evaluate knowledgeability, attitude, practice behaviors, and perceived barriers to oral health screening in a medical setting. Qualitative analytical approaches included thematic analyses applied to evaluate the status of and barriers to integrated medical-dental MOC adoption., Results: The integrated medical-dental MOC adoption rate was 34%. Top perceived barriers to integrated medical-dental MOC adoption included insurance coverage (71%) and care access (70%). A total of 39% indicated competency for educating patients about the association between DM and periodontitis. Although 72% of PCPs indicated optimal periodicity for oral health assessment as frequent, 39% reported frequently conducting such assessments., Conclusions: Although PCPs indicate receptivity to integrated medical-dental MOCs, PCPs identify suboptimal education, lack of adequate training in oral-systemic disease assessment, and barriers to oral health care access as barriers to integrated medical-dental MOC adoption., Practical Implications: Integrated medical-dental MOC adoption in care delivery to patients with DM remains below average. Interdisciplinary efforts and education are needed to address identified barriers to care integration., (Copyright © 2019 American Dental Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)
- Published
- 2019
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