Search

Introduction It's Our Problem, Not Theirs Health literacy has been consistently defined as the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process and understand basic health information needed [...]

Introduction Each year, approximately 30,000 U.S. persons are diagnosed with oral and pharyngeal cancers (hereafter referred to as oral cancer) and nearly 8,000 die from them. (1) These statistics have [...], Purpose. The purpose of this qualitative study was to obtain in-depth information on dental hygienists' awareness and opinions of oral cancer, oral cancer examinations, and related factors. These findings were intended to supplement a previous statewide survey of Maryland dental hygienists on the subject. Methods. A professional focus group moderator conducted two focus groups in Maryland. Two types of focus groups were used--one face-to-face focus group session with 10 dental hygienists in the Baltimore are and one telephone focus group among 7 dental hygienists who practiced on the Eastern Shore. Criterion-purposeful sampling and qualitative content analysis were used. Results. Six major themes emerged from the focus groups: dental hygienists' lack of awareness of Maryland's oral cancer statistics, level of training to provide oral cancer examinations, provision of oral cancer examinations and barriers for not providing them, reactions to Maryland surveys of dental hygienists and dentists, assessment of oral cancer risk factors, and interest in additional training. Conclusions. The focus groups provided in-depth information about why oral cancer examinations are or are not provided on a routine basis, as well as ideas for providing updates on oral cancer prevention and early detection for dental hygienists. Moreover, some participants recommended that updates on how to conduct an oral cancer examination be a requirement, as updates on infection control are now. Keywords. Maryland dental hygienists, focus groups, oral cancer prevention, oral cancer examinations, qualitative research.

Introduction Oral cancers (of the lip, tongue, mouth, and pharynx) account for nearly 3% of the approximately one million new cases of invasive cancer occurring each year in the United [...], Purpose. This study examined Maryland dental hygienists' knowledge of tobacco and alcohol use as oral cancer risk behaviors; the practice of obtaining comprehensive medical histories regarding patients' current, past, and type/amount of alcohol and tobacco used; and their opinions about the adequacy of their tobacco and alcohol cessation educational preparation in a state that ranks unusually high for oral cancer mortality rates. Methods. The data source was the Maryland Oral Cancer Survey of Dental Hygienists conducted in November 1997 (MDOCSDH, 1997) with a simple random sample of 700 dental hygienists selected from a registry of 2,677 licensed dental hygienists in Maryland. Data were collected with a 40-item self-administered mailed questionnaire. Unweighted data from 331 returned surveys (response rate = 60%) were analyzed using SAS and SUDAAN Software. Stratified and logistic data analysis techniques were utilized, and the results were evaluated statistically using a .05 level of significance. Results. Nearly all of the responding dental hygienists knew that tobacco is an oral cancer risk factor. Most probed their patients' present use of tobacco in medical histories; however, fewer assessed patients' past use and type/amount of tobacco used. Very few believed that they were adequately prepared to provide tobacco cessation education, although the majority agreed that dental hygienists should be prepared to provide this type of information. The majority of respondents also knew that alcohol use is an oral cancer risk factor; however, less probed their patients' present use of alcohol in medical histories compared to assessing present tobacco use. Even fewer assessed patients' past use and type/amount of alcohol used. A very small minority believed that they were adequately prepared to provide alcohol cessation education. Yet, in contrast to tobacco cessation counseling preparation, few respondents believed that dental hygienists should be prepared to provide alcohol cessation education. There was a significant relationship (p [is less than] .05) between screening for all three aspects of tobacco use and agreement of dental hygienists that they were adequately prepared to provide tobacco cessation education. Of seven background characteristics, practice setting was the only one found to be positively associated (p [is less than] .05) with even one of three complete medical history screening indices--the practice of assessing all three tobacco screening items. Conclusion. There is a need to provide more complete and accurate information in tobacco and alcohol educational programs for Maryland dental hygienists. Additional research is needed to explore sources of noninterest or discomfort in assessing patients' use of these substances, since a substantial number of Maryland dental hygienists do not assess all aspects of patients' tobacco and alcohol usage and do not agree that dental hygienists should be prepared to provide tobacco and alcohol cessation education for their patients. Maryland dental hygienists' opinions regarding the adequacy of their tobacco and alcohol cessation education appear to accurately reflect their practice of obtaining comprehensive medical histories regarding these substances. Keywords. Oral cancer, oral cancer screening, oral cancer risks, tobacco, alcohol

Introduction Dental caries is a chronic, infectious, multifactorial disease that can occur throughout a person's lifetime. Although the prevalence of dental caries has declined and the pattern and progression have [...], Purpose. The aim of this study was to determine the knowledge, opinions, and practices of dental hygienists in the areas of dental caries etiology and prevention. Methods. A pretested, validated 35-question survey instrument was mailed to a one percent national, stratified random sample of dental hygienists in the United States (n=960) in October 1996. Four complete mailings of the instrument resulted in a 67% response rate, of which 77% were useable (n=498). Respondents were asked if they agreed or disagreed with statements on caries etiology and preventive procedures, and also asked to rate the effectiveness of procedures for preventing dental caries in children and adults. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-tests, and ANOVA. Results. Overall level of knowledge of caries etiology and preventive procedures was low. More than 40% of subjects did not recognize that remineralization is the most important mechanism of action of fluoride, and fewer than 50% recognized that dental caries is a chronic infectious disease. Analysis of four factors thought to be related to knowledge and practice showed that younger graduates, more recent graduates, and ADHA members were more knowledgeable about the effectiveness of caries preventive procedures for children (p [is less than] .01). Although an overwhelming majority correctly agreed that adults benefit from fluoride and that root caries is an emerging problem, this knowledge was inconsistent with practice (p=.02). Fewer than 35% reported that they provide fluoride to adults of any age, or they wait until the disease is present. For children and adults who did receive fluoride treatments, a one-minute application of an APF gel or foam was most often provided. Conclusions. Correct information about the etiology and prevention of dental caries is a predisposing factor to making informed decisions. Overall, respondents overrated the effectiveness of flossing and toothbrushing while underrating the effectiveness of fluorides. In the majority of cases, efficiency rather than efficacy was given priority when providing a topical fluoride treatment. An improved understanding of dental caries etiology and the scientific evidence for appropriate caries preventive procedures will allow dental hygienists to prevent and manage this disease better. Keywords. Knowledge of caries etiology, caries prevention, fluorides, dental hygienists, Healthy People 2000

The workshop title refers to how qualitative methods, carefully and sensitively applied, can help researchers deepen their understanding of health beliefs, behavior and literacy and their origins among health care [...], Overview: This interactive workshop is designed to build dental hygiene researchers' confidence and skills for effectively using qualitative research methodologies, particularly focus groups and interviews, for oral healthcare research. The presenters' approach incorporates brief highlights of an institutional review board-approved qualitative research plan for, and preliminary findings from, a 2010-2011 Maryland qualitative and quantitative oral health study with pregnant women and parents of young children, and also with health care providers (dental hygienists, dentists, pediatricians, family practitioners and nurse practitioners). The study was conducted by the Herschel S. Horowitz Center for Health Literacy at the University of Maryland.

The first assessment of health literacy among American adults was recently released by the U.S. Department of Education. The study found that nearly 80 million adults are not able to [...]