329 - Improving Pediatric Oral Health Care Through Interprofessional Education

Abstract:

Purpose: The aim of this quality improvement study was to evaluate if interprofessional oral health education could improve healthcare providers’ knowledge, confidence, and self-reported practices in preventative oral health and dental trauma management for pediatric dental patients at a rural community health center.

Methods: A pre-and post- survey design was used to assess oral health knowledge gaps and identify areas for improvement among healthcare providers (mental health, family medicine, pediatric, pharmacists, and obstetrics and gynecology providers) at Chesapeake Healthcare Facilities on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. A self-guided interprofessional oral health education module, which focused on pediatric oral health preventative care and trauma prevention and management, was developed and distributed to providers to complete over a 3-week period. The post-intervention survey was conducted 3 months later.

Results: The 34 participants included pharmacists (5, 14.7%), adult medicine and pediatric providers (17, 50%), OBGYN providers (5, 14.7%), mental health providers (5, 14.7%), and 2 (5.9%) unspecified providers. The most substantial increase in knowledge was on the topic of primary tooth trauma management (50%), followed by antibiotic use in dental trauma (26.5%). There was a significant increase in the total mean confidence score (P <.0001) post-lecture (21.8, SD: 3.1) vs. pre-lecture (15.3, SD: 4.4). There was a significant increase in the overall mean practice score (P <.0001) post-lecture (21.2, SD: 3.1) vs. pre-lecture (11,1, SD: 5.3).

Conclusion: Interprofessional oral health education improved healthcare providers’ knowledge, confidence, and self-reported practices in preventatives oral health and dental trauma management.