Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #110319

Gerald A. Ferretti, DDS, MS, MPH and Cindy A. Burklow, MBA. Dental Public Health, University of Kentucky, 333 Waller Ave., Lexington, KY 40504, 859 323-6400, gaferr01@email.uky.edu

Background:Touch-screen technologies are being used to train non-dental healthcare workforce regarding pediatric oral health strategies and data collection in several funded public health projects.Methodology:The technological infrastructure comprises Palm PDAs, Tablet PCs, Pendragon® & iSilo™ Software, Microsoft® SQL Server Database, and Internet.These technologies provide a platform of data collection easy to use and allows the mobility for participants to quickly collect data in almost any situation. Pendragon® Software imparts the ability to distribute surveys onto PDAs and the retrieval of completed surveys into a centralized database via the Internet when a participant hot-syncs their PDA with their computers. iSilo™ Software enables delivery of instructional materials called Quick Oral Consult™ that provide quick tidbits of important information on oral health issues onto the PDA, while Internet website provides in-depth instructional overview. Tablet PC provides the ability to collect data via the use of large touch screen on laptop computers, which will enable healthcare providers the ability to collect larger amounts of data that would be more challenging to collect via PDAs, such as dental examination charting that can be captured and analyzed without paper forms.Results: During 01-04 this methodology has been used effectively to train non dental healthcare workforce personnel. Conclusion: Due to the depth of training materials as well as the environment in which data needs to be collected, it is important to have instructional materials that are easily accessible, user-friendly, and a medium that allows for rapid and non-obtrusive way of collecting data in a cost-effective manner.

Learning Objectives:

• To broaden the scope of oral public health assessment and preventive strategies beyond the typical partnerships of dental health providers through a touch-screen training medium.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.