Tan Minh Nguyen1,2,3, Bradley Christian4,5, Sajeev Koshy6, Michael Vivian Morgan7. 1. Deakin Health Economics, Institute of Health Transformation, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, VIC 3216, Australia. 2. Community Dental Program, Peninsula Health, Frankston, VIC 3199, Australia. 3. Coburg Hill Oral Care, Coburg North, VIC 3058, Australia. 4. Dentistry and Oral Health, La Trobe Rural Health School, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3552, Australia. 5. Centre for Oral Health Outcomes & Research Translation (COHORT), School of Nursing & Midwifery, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW 2751, Australia. 6. Dental Health Services Victoria, Carlton, VIC 3053, Australia. 7. Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Limited evidence exists to inform best practice approaches to implement school-based dental screening to address child retention via referral for dental services. This research tested the null hypothesis that a targeted school-based dental check-up program (intervention) has a 75% child retention rate for public dental care (H0 = 0.75). METHODS: A prospective non-randomised controlled trial was conducted with a convenience sampling approach in metropolitan Melbourne, Australia. Children in the intervention group were recruited from two preschools and two primary schools from a low socioeconomic area. Children in the standard care group were recruited from the local public dental service. Statistical analysis was performed using Stata IC Version 12. RESULTS: Children in the intervention (45%) were significantly less likely to have never had a dental check-up compared to standard care (20%) (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference for the child retention rate for the intervention group when compared against the null hypothesis (p = 0.954). The total society costs were AU$754.7 and AU$612.2 for the intervention and standard care groups, respectively (p = 0.049). CONCLUSIONS: This validation study provides evidence that a targeted school-based dental check-up program can achieve a 75% child retention rate and should be considered for program expansion.
BACKGROUND: Limited evidence exists to inform best practice approaches to implement school-based dental screening to address child retention via referral for dental services. This research tested the null hypothesis that a targeted school-based dental check-up program (intervention) has a 75% child retention rate for public dental care (H0 = 0.75). METHODS: A prospective non-randomised controlled trial was conducted with a convenience sampling approach in metropolitan Melbourne, Australia. Children in the intervention group were recruited from two preschools and two primary schools from a low socioeconomic area. Children in the standard care group were recruited from the local public dental service. Statistical analysis was performed using Stata IC Version 12. RESULTS:Children in the intervention (45%) were significantly less likely to have never had a dental check-up compared to standard care (20%) (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference for the child retention rate for the intervention group when compared against the null hypothesis (p = 0.954). The total society costs were AU$754.7 and AU$612.2 for the intervention and standard care groups, respectively (p = 0.049). CONCLUSIONS: This validation study provides evidence that a targeted school-based dental check-up program can achieve a 75% child retention rate and should be considered for program expansion.
Entities:
Keywords:
costs and cost analysis; dental care for children; oral health; preventive health services; school health services
Authors: Susan O Griffin; Shillpa Naavaal; Christina Scherrer; Mona Patel; Sajal Chattopadhyay Journal: Am J Prev Med Date: 2016-11-16 Impact factor: 5.043
Authors: Maria Augusta Bessa Rebelo; Janete Maria Rebelo Vieira; Juliana Vianna Pereira; Larissa Neves Quadros; Mario Vianna Vettore Journal: Int J Paediatr Dent Date: 2018-10-26 Impact factor: 3.455