The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #63376

Bryan Williams, DDS, MEd¹, Karen Lissy, MPH², Margo Harris, MAT³, Chris Delecki, DDS⁴, Nanci Villareale, RN, MSN³, and Shervin Churchill, MPH³. (1) Dept of Dental Medicine, Childrens Hospital and Regional Medical Center, PO Box 50020, M/S: 4E-2, Seattle, WA 98105, (2) Center for Children with Special Needs, Childrens Hospital and Regional Medical Center, PO Box 50020, M/S: S-219, Seattle, WA 98145-5020, 206-987-5246, karen.lissy@seattlechildrens.org, (3) Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center, Center for Children with Special Needs, POB 50020 MS S219, Seattle, WA 98145-5020, (4) Odessa Brown Childrens Clinic, Childrens Hospital and Regional Medical Center, PO Box 50020 / MS: OBCC, Seattle, WA 98145-5020

Numerous oral health initiatives are implemented in community health clinics, schools, and similar settings, while fewer are targeted at private medical practices. The “Healthy Smiles” project was developed for medical staff to conduct improved oral health screenings, promote oral health education, and integrate primary prevention (including fluoride varnish) in 3 private practice pediatric clinics serving low-income populations in Washington state. The presentation will summarize knowledge gained about recruiting and implementing oral health initiatives into private practice medical settings. Findings from staff surveys about their knowledge and attitudes towards oral health will be presented.

A survey was conducted with staff from 3 private pediatric practices in Washington state. Pediatric practice staff’s knowledge of oral health issues and parent education messages, and willingness to incorporate oral health into their routine prevention counseling activities will be presented. Findings will be stratified by staff position, previous exposure to oral health, and other key demographic variables.

Insights into how to design oral health promotion for private medical practices will be presented. These lessons include (but will not be limited to): (1) effectively recruiting private pediatric practices; (2) carefully considering the financial incentives & disincentives for the primary care practice; (3) ensuring the institutional and professional credibility of the presenters for the target audience; (4) understanding the competing time demands of practice staff; and (5) understanding the realities of patient-provider communication involving other languages & cultures. Applicability to other efforts by the oral health and health education communities will also be highlighted.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the predominant concerns of private medical practice clinics about participating in research projects, and ways to overcome/address those concerns.
• Identify predominant barriers for medical staff to integrating an enhanced oral health focus into their practices, and ways to overcome/address those concerns.
• Review the knowledge base and attitudes of private medical practice staff towards oral health as a component of overall health.

Keywords: Oral Health, Physicians

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.