John H Unkel1, Emily Simon2, Emily Kymer-Cheek3, Jessica Tucker4, Mary Otero5, Elizabeth Berry6, Judy Reinhartz7, Dennis Reinhartz8. 1. Dr. Unkel is a residency and medical director, Program for Advanced Pediatric Dental Education, Bon Secours St. Mary's Hospital, Richmond, Va., USA;, Email: John_Unkel@bshsi.org. 2. Dr. Simon is a pediatric dentist in private practice, Gainesville, Ga., USA. 3. Dr. Kymer-Cheek is a pediatric dentist in private practice, Little Rock, Ark., USA. 4. Dr. Tucker is a pediatric dentist in private practice, Franklin, Tenn., USA. 5. Ms. Otero is a nurse director, Mother-Infant Unit and Women's Specialty Unit, all at Bon Secours St. Mary's Hospital, Richmond, Va., USA. 6. Dr. Berry is a program faculty, Program for Advanced Pediatric Dental Education, Bon Secours St. Mary's Hospital, Richmond, Va., USA. 7. Dr. J. Reinhartz, Program for Advanced Pediatric Dental Education, Bon Secours St. Mary's Hospital, Richmond, Va., USA. 8. Dr. D. Reinhartz are co-research coordinators, Program for Advanced Pediatric Dental Education, Bon Secours St. Mary's Hospital, Richmond, Va., USA.
Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine which mode of education given to mothers of newborns resulted in the greatest compliance for establishing an age one dental visit and identify reasons why mothers do not bring their child for their first dental visit.<br/> Methods: Several modes of education presented information to mothers: (1) written literature provided by a nurse; (2) a nurse verbally presenting and providing literature; (3) a resident verbally presenting and providing literature; and (4) control-no education. The chi-square test of homogeneity was utilized to determine if there was a difference in compliance to make an age one dental appointment.<br/> Results: The retained sample consisted of 277 children evaluated between 2014 and 2018. There was no statistical difference between the educational methods regarding compliance to make an age one dental visit (P >0.05). There was a significant difference between marital status (P =0.0005), with 95 percent of single mothers likely to schedule the visit.<br/> Conclusion: No particular maternal educational method resulted in greater compliance with scheduling an age one dental visit. Single mothers were more likely to schedule the visit. The primary reason for not visiting was a lack of primary care provider recommendations.
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine which mode of education given to mothers of newborns resulted in the greatest compliance for establishing an age one dental visit and identify reasons why mothers do not bring their child for their first dental visit.<br/> Methods: Several modes of education presented information to mothers: (1) written literature provided by a nurse; (2) a nurse verbally presenting and providing literature; (3) a resident verbally presenting and providing literature; and (4) control-no education. The chi-square test of homogeneity was utilized to determine if there was a difference in compliance to make an age one dental appointment.<br/> Results: The retained sample consisted of 277 children evaluated between 2014 and 2018. There was no statistical difference between the educational methods regarding compliance to make an age one dental visit (P >0.05). There was a significant difference between marital status (P =0.0005), with 95 percent of single mothers likely to schedule the visit.<br/> Conclusion: No particular maternal educational method resulted in greater compliance with scheduling an age one dental visit. Single mothers were more likely to schedule the visit. The primary reason for not visiting was a lack of primary care provider recommendations.