197504 Knowledge, attitudes, and opinions regarding bioterrorism preparedness among dental professionals: A comparitive study

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Vinodh Bhoopathi, Dr , Division of Dental Public Health, Department of Health Services and Research, Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA
Samar Mashabi, Dr , Division of Dental Public Health, Department of Health Services and Research, Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA
Thayer Scott, MPH , Department of Health Policy and Health Services, Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA
Ana Karina Mascarenhas, DMD, MPH, DrPH , College of Dental Medicine, Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine, Fort Lauderdale, FL
AIM: The aim of our study is to compare knowledge, attitudes, and opinions regarding bioterrorism preparedness between dental professionals from a region that has been exposed to a bioterrorism event (Oregon) with those from a region that has not been exposed (New England).

METHODS: An 18 item pre-tested, self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data during the 2005 Oregon Dental Conference (n=156) and 2005 Yankee Dental Conference (n=370). Means and frequencies were calculated. Chi square and t-tests were performed.

RESULTS: Over 90% of both the New England and Oregon Dental Professionals were willing to provide care during bioterrorist events. The mean positive opinions regarding bioterrorism preparedness and management were higher among New England professionals (11.5 ± 2.2) compared to Oregon professionals (10.5 ± 2.8) (p<0.0001). Again, New England professionals had higher overall mean self –perceived knowledge (14.7 ± 4.9) compared to Oregon professionals (12.0 ± 5.1) (p<0.0001). No significant difference between the groups in the mean number of roles they thought the dental professionals should play during an event was observed. Both groups had a very low mean actual knowledge.

CONCLUSIONS: Both the New England and Oregon dental professionals were interested in providing assistance during a bioterrorism event, but lacked knowledge regarding bioterrorism preparedness and management, suggesting a need for more education and training on bioterrorism preparedness. New England professionals, who had never been exposed to a bioterrorism event, had better opinions and higher self–perceived knowledge than the Oregon professionals, who possibly had been exposed.

Learning Objectives:
1)Identify the knowledge, attitudes and opinions regarding bioterrorism preparedness and management among a convenient sample of dental professionals 2)Compare the differences in knowledge, attitudes and opinions regarding bioterrorism preparedness and management between New England and Oregon dental professionals

Keywords: Oral Health, Bioterrorism

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS & TRAINING • Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine, Boston MA: Doctoral Student, Division of Dental Public Health, July 2008. • Boston University, Boston, MA : Advanced Training in Dental Public Health, June 2006 (GPA: 3.53/4.0) • East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN : Masters of Public Health (MPH), July 2005 (GPA: 3.67/4.0) • East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN : Health Care Management Certificate (HCMC), May 2005 (GPA: 3.67/4.0) • Sree Balaji Dental College, Chennai, Tamilnadu, India: Bachelors of Dental Surgery (BDS), January 2001. GPA: 3.5/4.0 QUALIFICATIONS • Survey methods, research, and design. • Experienced in scientific data collection through literature review, questionnaires, chart reviews, interviews, focus groups, and online databases. • Excellent database development, cleaning, and management using complex softwares. • Experienced in advanced statistical analysis using complex statistical softwares: More than 4 yrs. • Highly experienced in conducting cross sectional studies, and cross sectional data analysis. • Excellent quantitative and qualitative skills. • High program evaluation and research method skills and experience. • High interests in Public Health Disasters Preparedness and assessment, especially Bioterrorism preparedness and assessment among public health/ health care professionals. • Experience teaching under graduate students majoring in nursing, and dentistry. • Experienced in scientific paper writing and editing skills. • Experience managing staff and managing projects. • Excellent interpersonal, organizing and administrative skills. PUBLICATIONS • Bhoopathi V., Kabani S, Mascarenhas AK (2008). Low positive predictive values of the OralCDx brush biopsies in detecting dysplastic oral lesions. Cancer. Manuscript in print • Dental providers sealant utilization study in the State of New York: Manuscript in preparation • The Knowledge, Attitudes, and Opinions of Dental Personnel in the State of Oregon Regarding Bioterrorism: Manuscript in preparation • Patient satisfaction in an academic dental hygiene setting : a thorough evaluation Manuscript in preparation
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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