Community health center dental programs have provided dental care to many underserved children and families. Providing quality dental care is one of the goals of these programs, however, evaluating whether or not this goal is achieved is not an easy task. The quality of dental record keeping should, at least theoretically, be good regardless of the patient’s age. However, to our knowledge, such a relationship between the age of the patient and the quality of dental record keeping has not yet been reported. This study will examine, through a record audit, the relationship between the quality of dental record keeping and the age of the patient in the 17 community health center dental programs in the City of Boston. These 17 programs have more than 100,000 patient visit a year and provide the full scope of services to people of all ages with more than 130 personnel. Fifty patient records from each health center will be randomly selected with an equal sample of children under age 18 years and adults 18 years and over who have been regular patients at the health center for the last two years. The same investigator will be utilized for all the audit review. An analysis of the results of the study will be presented. Proper record keeping for all ages should help improve and maintain the quality of dental services.
Learning Objectives: - Attendees will be able to recognize the criteria needed for doing a record audit - The learner will be able to discuss the relationship between patients age and the quality of record keeping - The learner will recognize the importance of good record keeping in improving and maintaining the quality of dental care
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.