Ozkem Azmi Oge1, Gail V A Douglas2, Diane Seymour3, Cheryll Adams4, Julia Csikar2,3. 1. Department of Paediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Near East University, Nicosia, Cyprus. 2. The Leeds School of Dentistry, The University of Leeds, Leeds, UK. 3. Dental Public Health, Public Health England, Leeds, UK. 4. Institute of Health Visiting, London, UK.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine knowledge, attitude, and practical behavior of health visitors regarding children's oral health in the United Kingdom (UK). METHODS: A web-based self-administered survey with 18 closed and 2 open ended questions was distributed to a convenience sample of approximately 9,000 health visitors who were currently employed in the United Kingdom and a member of the Institute of Health Visiting. RESULTS: A total of 1,088 health visitors completed the survey, resulting in a response rate of 12%. One-third of the health visitors reported that they had not received oral health training previously. Almost all agreed that oral health advice/promotion should be included in their routine health visiting contacts. Previous oral health training/education was associated with an increase in oral health knowledge; confidence in entering a discussion with parents/caregivers and willingness to be involved in dental referral process. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study support the need for health visitors to receive oral health training in oral health promotion including oral health risk assessment, guidance on evidence based up-to-date prevention measures, increasing the dental attendance prevalence at early stages and awareness of including specific oral health guidelines/fact sheets into their regular practice.
OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine knowledge, attitude, and practical behavior of health visitors regarding children's oral health in the United Kingdom (UK). METHODS: A web-based self-administered survey with 18 closed and 2 open ended questions was distributed to a convenience sample of approximately 9,000 health visitors who were currently employed in the United Kingdom and a member of the Institute of Health Visiting. RESULTS: A total of 1,088 health visitors completed the survey, resulting in a response rate of 12%. One-third of the health visitors reported that they had not received oral health training previously. Almost all agreed that oral health advice/promotion should be included in their routine health visiting contacts. Previous oral health training/education was associated with an increase in oral health knowledge; confidence in entering a discussion with parents/caregivers and willingness to be involved in dental referral process. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study support the need for health visitors to receive oral health training in oral health promotion including oral health risk assessment, guidance on evidence based up-to-date prevention measures, increasing the dental attendance prevalence at early stages and awareness of including specific oral health guidelines/fact sheets into their regular practice.
Authors: Ieva Eskytė; Kara A Gray-Burrows; Jenny Owen; Bianca Sykes-Muskett; Sue H Pavitt; Robert West; Zoe Marshman; Peter F Day Journal: Front Public Health Date: 2021-02-23
Authors: Amrit Bhatti; Faye Wray; Ieva Eskytė; Kara A Gray-Burrows; Jenny Owen; Erin Giles; Timothy Zoltie; Victoria Smith; Sue Pavitt; Robert West; Rosemary Rc McEachan; Zoe Marshman; Peter F Day Journal: BMC Prim Care Date: 2022-03-26
Authors: Erin Giles; Faye Wray; Ieva Eskyte; Kara A Gray-Burrows; Jenny Owen; Amrit Bhatti; Tim Zoltie; Rosemary McEachan; Z Marshman; Sue Pavitt; Robert M West; Peter F Day Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2022-10-10 Impact factor: 3.006