Dental Public Health Specialists Research Articles

Making the case for the inclusion of humanities in the education of Dental Public Health specialists

Making the case for the inclusion of humanities in the education of Dental Public Health specialists

Perceived barriers in digitalizing oral health promotion: Phenomenological study among Malaysian dental public health specialists

Abstract Aim: The ascent of digital health promotion, encompassing telemedicine, teledentistry, mHealth, eHealth, mOralHealth, and social media, underscores the necessity for its adoption in advancing health promotion. Identifying barriers in digitalizing health promotion aids in overcoming obstacles and facilitating the effective integration of digital technologies for improved healthcare and health outcomes. Hence, this study aims to identify barriers to digitalizing oral health promotion among Malaysian dental public health specialists. Materials and Methods: Eight dental public health specialists from different ministries in Malaysia participated in the interviews using semi-structured questionnaires. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed using NVivo software. Results: Thematic analysis identified three major themes with 19 sub-themes, totaling 51 occurrences across the interviews. Among these three major themes, the availability of a supportive environment or infrastructure was the most discussed among the respondents. Among all sub-themes, respondents perceived those facilities, resources, and infrastructure (n = 6); and poor internet connection and stability (n = 6) as significant barriers to adopting and implementing digitalized oral health promotion. Conclusions: This study provides a distinctive contribution to stakeholders, offering insights into the impediments hindering dental students and professionals from embracing digital health promotion. The study findings can be utilized as a guide to facilitate the integration of digital dentistry and address the related issues within a broader context, guided by existing regulatory frameworks.

A Randomized Control Trial of Smoking Cessation Interventions Conducted by Dentists

The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of the 5A’s smoking cessation intervention (5A’s) to that of brief advice (BA) conducted by dentists. A single-blinded randomized controlled trial was designed to compare the effectiveness of the interventions. Six Dental Public Health specialists were recruited, randomized and trained to participate in this trial. Two hundred and fifty patients were required on both arms. The main outcome measures were biochemically validated self-reported abstinence and behaviour change at 6-months follow-up. The odd of quitters in 5A’s intervention was 3.81 (95% CI: 1.87-7.76; p= 0.00) times higher compared to BA. After controlling other factors, the odds ratio for the 5A’s was 1.90 (95% CI: 0.652-5.547; p=0.24) higher compared to BA. The 5A’s was found to be more effective in initiating positive behaviour change compared to BA. However, after controlling other factors, there was no difference in the effectiveness although the odds ratio was slightly higher in 5A’s.

Career Satisfaction Among Dental Public Health Specialists in India - A Cross-sectional Survey.

The satisfaction in career is an important indicator for the growth of the discipline and the profession. An empirical investigation of satisfaction in career and amendments needed in course and profession may help in growth of discipline. To assess career satisfaction among Dental Public Health (DPH) specialists working in India and analyze their perspective on changes required in the profession. Questionnaire for this cross-sectional survey was adapted from Minnesota Job Satisfaction Survey which included 40 enquiries to understand the reasons for choosing public health dentistry as career, competencies of public health dentists, satisfaction as a public health dentist and changes required in the profession. The questions were both open and closed end type. Updated electronic mail details of all registered public health dentists were collected from the head office of Indian Association of Public Health Dentistry. Each participant was contacted by electronic mail and consent to participate were sought. Reminders were e-mailed thrice during three months. A total of 580 participants were contacted. A total of 183 responses were received, among which 179 consented. Nearly half of the respondents felt they are yet to achieve the accomplishment from the present career as public health dentist. Only 46.9% felt that there is advancement in the profession as career. Nearly three-fourth of respondents could not attain recognition as a public health dentist. A 45.8% of respondents were of the opinion that career in public health dentistry would provide them a steady employment and 53.1% of public health dentists would envision as satisfied in their career in next 10 years. Nearly 85% felt public health dentistry training needs a major course correction. There has been some reservation or skepticism about the future of the specialty as the jobs are in declining stage. This information provides insight about success and failures of public health dentistry as profession which would be needed for planning the dental manpower.

New competencies for the 21st century dental public health specialist.

The American Board of Dental Public Health (ABDPH) currently recognizes 10 core competencies, which identify the skills, knowledge and understanding expected of all dental public health specialists. The last update to the competencies was 1998. The American Board of Dental Public Health, along with the American Association of Public Health Dentistry and its many partners, initiated a process to revise the competencies. This report presents the process and the new competencies for the dental public health specialist of the 21st century. Each of the developed competencies is supported by a "statement of intent". These competencies take effect immediately. The new competencies will be used in testing candidates for specialty status beginning with the 2018 ABDPH examination.

A survey of dental public health specialists on current dental public health competencies.

In preparation to update the Dental Public Health specialty competencies, the Expert Panel determined that a needs assessment be conducted. A nine item open and close ended survey developed by the Expert Panel was used to collect data on the Diplomates current work environment, the utility of the current set of Dental Public Health competencies, and to identify any gaps in the current competencies. In 2015, thesurvey was administered to all active Diplomates of the American Board of Dental Public Health. One hundred and nine Diplomates responded. Diplomates overwhelmingly reported that each of the ten current competencies were still relevant for Dental Public Health specialists in the 21st Century, but needed to be updated to be more contemporary. Domains suggested to achieve this were interprofessional care, cultural competency, health literacy, and evidence-based dentistry.

Improving oral health among schoolchildren – which approach is best?

This opinion piece considers the focus of the coalition government on improving the dental health of schoolchildren. It shows how oral health improvement teams have moved on from approaches which involve the education of children alone. More modern interventions are selected from a palette of evidence-informed options to suit the needs of the local population. Such options should ensure a multilevel approach. A plea is made for any new guidance to be informed by dental public health specialists who have practical experience to ensure that outdated methods are not re-introduced.

Beyond the Operatory: From Patients to Population

There is a shortage of dental public health specialists in the United States, and the number of dentists entering the field is declining. A number of disincentives and barriers to pursuing training and a career in dental public health have been identified. This article gives a personal account of one dentist's transition from private practice to public health dentistry.

Dental Public Health Postdoctoral Education: a Survey on the Status of Funding and Career Opportunities

This paper reports the results of a survey to determine the consequences of budget reductions on the status of dental public health postdoctoral training in the United States, and opinions of experts in education and practice regarding career opportunities in dental public health. A survey was mailed to 154 dental and public health education and service institutions. Most respondents (74 of 103; 72%) agreed that training opportunities depend on funding, and 73 percent (n = 75) expressed the view that more dental public health specialists are needed. Respondents reported that funding for current dental public health master's degree and residency programs is less than satisfactory. Respondents involved in training of dental public health professionals held marginally statistically significant different opinions regarding career opportunities than those who were not involved. No significant differences in opinions of respondents existed by type of institution. With decreased numbers of dental graduates, improved funding for dental public health programs will be critical, particularly at the specialty entry level, to ensure that adequate numbers of specialists are trained and available to meet the oral health needs of all the US population.

Academic dental public health diplomates: their distribution and recommendations concerning the predoctoral dental public health faculty.

The purpose of this study was to assess the representation of academically based diplomates of the American Board of Dental Public Health (ABDPH) and to identify their perceptions on the training of dental public health predoctoral faculty. Data were collected by a mailed, self-administered, 13-item questionnaire. The population was the 48 diplomates of the ABDPH as of March 1997 associated with academic institutions. Twenty of the 55 US dental schools had a diplomate of the ABDPH with a mean of 1.8 diplomates per school with a diplomate. An average of 4.5 full-time faculty members per school were associated with teaching dental public health. A master's degree in public health (MPH) was the most frequently suggested educational requirement for dental public health faculty. Continuing education courses were training needs perceived for dental public health faculty. The lack of time, money, and incentives, along with perceived rigidity of requirements for board certification, were reported as major barriers for faculty becoming dental public health board certified. Numerous challenges confront the development of a strong dental public health presence in US dental schools. These challenges include, among others, insufficient numbers of academic dental public health specialists and insufficient motivations to encourage promising candidates to pursue specialty status.

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF PUBLIC HEALTH DENTISTS

Of particular interest to dental public health specialists, the position statement of AAPHD in regard to the proposed revision of the ADA criteria for the recognition of dental specialties is printed verbatim in the Journal. President Mullin's cover letter to Rod Swanson of ADA helps explain the statement. ‐Ed.