142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition

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304981
Translating Inter-Professional Oral Health Guidelines during Pregnancy into Clinical Practice: Current Barriers and Future Opportunities

142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition (November 15 - November 19, 2014): http://www.apha.org/events-and-meetings/annual
Wednesday, November 19, 2014 : 1:30 PM - 1:50 PM

Cheryl A. Vamos, PhD, MPH , Department of Community and Family Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Margaret Walsh, MPH , Department of Community and Family Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Erika Thompson, MPH, CPH , Department of Community and Family Health, University of South Florida, College of Public Health, Tampa, FL
Rita DeBate, PhD, MPH, FAED, FAAHB , Department of Community and Family Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Linda A. Detman, PhD , The Lawton and Rhea Chiles Center for Healthy Mothers and Babies, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Ellen Daley, PhD , Department of Community and Family Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Background: Pregnancy represents a critical period influencing oral-systemic health across the lifecourse. Subsequently, consolidated guidelines have been co-endorsed by medical and dental professional associations highlighting the importance of oral health prevention and treatment among pregnant women. The purpose of this study was to assess current behaviors, barriers and future opportunities to facilitate the translation of the inter-professional practice guidelines into practice for prenatal providers (PPs) and oral healthcare providers (OHPs).

Methods: Twenty-two in-depth interviews were conducted with PPs and OHPs based on the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills Model. Data were analyzed using the constant comparative method in NVivo 10.

Results: Data revealed a significant gap in translating guidelines into practice. Specifically, PPs rarely assessed, educated or referred pregnant patients to oral healthcare; whereas OHPs reported providing extensive education and treatment to patients. However, only one-directional communication occurred between providers, with OHPs requesting PP approval to provide care to pregnant patients. Key barriers to inter-professional care identified included lack of time and training, and a physical and social disconnect between disciplines. Opportunities to improve inter-professional practice behaviors included professional training, continuing education, conferences, accreditation, and communication processes using eHealth that involve both disciplines.

Conclusions: Findings suggest a lack of reciprocal communications between and among patients/providers with regards to prenatal oral health. Thus, future research should develop, implement and evaluate theory- and evidence-based dissemination and implementation strategies that facilitate inter-professional practice behaviors with regards to prenatal oral health. Such efforts have the potential to significantly improve maternal and child oral-systemic health across the lifecourse.

Learning Areas:

Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs
Assessment of individual and community needs for health education
Communication and informatics
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Provision of health care to the public
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
Describe the public health significance of oral-systemic health during pregnancy for maternal and child health populations. Assess barriers to implementing inter-professional practice guidelines with regards to oral health during pregnancy. Identify potential health literacy and health communication strategies that would facilitate inter-professional practice behaviors with regards to prenatal oral health.

Keyword(s): Oral Health, Practice Guidelines

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: My past and current research has included empirical research and program implementation/evaluation on topics related to maternal and child oral-systemic health. In addition, I have designed, conducted, analyzed and disseminated research specific to oral health during pregnancy among pregnant patients and prenatal/oral healthcare providers.
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.

Back to: 5185.0: Advances in Oral Health Communication