202957 A descriptive study of readiness to adopt screening and brief interventions for alcohol abuse in dental practice: Comparison of dentists and Dental hygienists/assistants

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

James Alan Neff, PhD, MPH , College of Health Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA
Tegwyn H. Brickhouse, DDS, PhD , School of Dentistry, VIrginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
John C. Gunsolley, DDS, MS , School of Dentistry, VIrginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
Sharon K. Lanning, DDS , School of Dentistry, VIrginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
Carleen M. Lynch, RDH, MS, MPH , School of Dental Hygiene, College of Health Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA
Joyce M. Downs, RDH, MS , College of Health Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA
Screening and Brief Intervention (SBI) protocols have been shown to reduce levels of alcohol use in medical settings but have yet to be adopted in dental settings. Data on readiness to adopt alcohol SBI protocols in dental settings was examined from 256 dental practitioners (163 Dentists; 93 Dental Hygienists/Assistants) responding to a web-based survey. Following Rogers' ‘Diffusion of Innovation' theory, Principal Components Analysis yielded measures tapping key perceived characteristics of alcohol SBI: ‘relative advantage' (perceived effectiveness/efficiency concerns (α = .73); ‘perceived compatibility' (appropriateness of SBI for dental setting (α = .81) and for dental professional role (α = .92); and ‘perceived complexity' (need for SBI training (α = .74) and concern about time and reimbursement barriers (α = .70). T-tests indicated that, compared to Dental Hygienists/Assistants, Dentists had: 1) greater concerns about SBI effectiveness and efficiency (mean: 3.03 vs. 2.44; p< .05), 2) lower perceived appropriateness of SBI for the dental setting (3.34 vs. 3. 68; p < .07) and the dental practitioner role (7.54 vs. 8.48; p< .001), (and felt that SBI was more appropriate for MDs than Dentists), and 3) greater concern about lack of SBI reimbursement (1.63 vs. 1.22; p < .001). There were no differences on need for SBI training (neither felt competent). Hygienists also expressed greater Readiness to Adopt SBI (measured by rated Importance (p< .05) and Interest (p< .05) in adopting SBI). Generally, hygienists expressed greater enthusiasm while Dentists expressed more technical and logistical concerns with SBI.

Learning Objectives:
Participants will be able to identify issues involved in readiness to adopt screening and brief interventions for alcohol abuse in dental settings

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: designed study, gathered data, and conducted data analysis
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.

See more of: Screening and Brief Interventions
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