Knowledgeability, Attitude and Practice Behaviors of Dental Providers Toward Provisions of Integrated Care Delivery for Patients With Prediabetes/Diabetes: Wisconsin Statewide Survey

Introduction: To conduct a statewide survey among Wisconsin-based dental providers evaluating current knowledgeability, attitudes and practice behaviors surrounding management of patients with diabetes/prediabetes in the dental setting. The study explored perceptions on feasibility, value, barriers, and current status of integrated care model (ICM) adoption by dental practicesMaterials and Methods: A 32-question paper-based survey was mailed to all licensed dentists and dental hygienists practicing in Wisconsin. The study was conducted over a 4 week period in 2019. The survey instrument was adapted from a previous validated survey and was expanded to include questions on ICM adoption. Content and validity analyses and beta testing were conducted prior to dissemination of the survey. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were applied for data analyses. Thematic analyses was performed on open-ended questions.Results: Survey response rate was 12% (N = 854/7,356) representing 41% dentists and 59% dental hygienists. While 68% reported educating patients on oral health-diabetes association, only 18% reported medical consultations to inform dental treatment, and “frequent” (22%) or “occasional” (40%), medical triage. Knowledge-based questions were correctly answered by >70% of participants. While 50% valued chair-side glycemic screening and 85% supported non-invasive chair-side screening to identify at-risk patients,>88% relied on patient-reported diabetic status. Barriers to ICM adoption included time investment (70%), patient activation/cooperation (62%), cost (50%), insurance coverage (50%), infrequent interdisciplinary communication (46%), lack of equipment (33%) and provider (31%).Conclusion: Low rates of ICM adoption, chair-side testing, medical consultation and triage, and need for educational curricula reform were identified.

Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Behaviors of Parents towards Care of Primary Dentition – A Cross Sectional Study

Aims: The present study was undertaken to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice behaviors of parents towards care of the primary dentition of children in Wardha city, India. Study Design: Cross sectional study. Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Pedodontics & Preventive Dentistry, Sharad Pawar Dental College & Hospital, Duration- One year Methodology: A questionnaire based cross sectional study was conducted among parents of 3-7 year old children who visited the Department of Pedodontics & Preventive dentistry. The self-administered, close-ended questionnaire was adopted from oral health literature [Rwakatema et al 2009] and was modified based on researcher’s knowledge and experience of the issues under study. The first part of the questionnaire included the demographic details while the second part comprised of 25 items to test knowledge, attitude and practices of parents. Data was collected by a single investigator who distributed the questionnaire, allowed enough time to fill it and collected on the spot after they had completed. Results: Majority of parents (69%) had good knowledge about importance of milk teeth. 87% of parents were aware that oral health affects the overall general health of child. However, Bedtime bottle-feeding and sharing of spoons with the child was reported by 54% and 77% of the study participants respectively. Conclusions: The majority (57.9%) of the study population had good knowledge pertaining to oral health. However, their practices towards the oral health of children were not satisfactory. Therefore, there is a need to improve oral health care practices by conducting awareness programs for parents.

Public Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Behaviors Towards Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) During a National Epidemic—China

Background: The rapid outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) posed a serious threat to China, followed by compulsive measures taken against the national emergency to control its further spread. This study was designed to describe residents' knowledge, attitudes, and practice behaviors (KAP) during the outbreak of COVID-19.Methods: An anonymous online questionnaire was randomly administrated to residents in mainland China between Mar 7 and Mar 16, 2020. Residents' responses to KAP were quantified by descriptive and stratified analyses. A Multiple Logistic Regression model was employed to identify risk factors associated with KAP scores.Results: A total of 10,195 participants were enrolled from 32 provinces of China. Participants of the ≥61 years group had higher KAP scores [adjusted Odds Ratio (ORadj) = 4.8, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 3.0–7.7, P < 0.0001], and the married participants and those in low-income families had higher scores of KAP (ORadj = 1.2, 95% CI: 1.1–1.3; ORadj = 1.8, 95% CI: 1.6–2.2, respectively, both P < 0.0001). The participants living with more than two family members had higher scores in an increasing ORs when the family members increased (ORadj = 1.3, 95% CI: 1.1–1.6, P = 0.013; ORadj = 1.3, 95% CI: 1.1–1.6, P = 0.003; ORadj = 1.3, 95% CI: 1.0–1.6, P = 0.02; for groups of 2, 3–4 and ≥5, respectively).Conclusions: Out of the enrolled participants who completed the survey, 85.5% responded positively toward the mandatory public health interventions implemented nationwide by the Chinese authorities. These effective practices seem to be related to a proper attitude generated by the increased knowledge and better awareness of the risks related to the COVID-19 pandemic and the consequent need for safe and responsible behavior.

Mentoring Barriers, Expected Outcomes, and Practices in Scientific Communication: Scale Development and Validation

Developing new scales to measure aspects of mentoring, including guidance in scientific communication (SciComm), is important to enhance success among trainees pursuing research careers in science and medicine. This study examined the psychometric properties of three new measures, based on social cognitive career theory (SCCT), as mentors address skills in scientific writing, oral presentation, and impromptu speaking. Faculty research mentors ( N = 194) completed online questionnaires assessing perceptions of mentoring barriers in SciComm, outcome expectations, and practice behaviors in research and SciComm. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses rendered support for a three-factor measure of barriers, one-factor measure of expected outcomes, and a five-factor measure of practices. Good support was also found for a path model that included the variables in the prediction of mentoring practices. Findings support applying SCCT to mentoring and clarify contextual barriers–choice outcome relations which can inform barrier-coping, SciComm interventions among mentors.

Enhancing developmental–behavioral pediatric rotations by teaching residents how to evaluate autism in primary care

Most pediatric residency programs do not provide adequate practical experiences for residents in autism-related care, with a specific dearth of training in diagnostic processes. Without this training, residents enter the primary care workforce with uncertainty surrounding implementation of standard-of-care recommendations for children with autism. Our curriculum was designed to improve upon previously passive shadowing experiences within our developmental–behavioral pediatric rotation by integrating hands-on training in within-practice diagnostic identification and care coordination. In addition to multiple web-based learning activities (including a tutorial teaching administration of an interactive assessment tool), residents were required to actively participate in autism evaluations under supervision of an attending provider. Data were collected to assess feasibility of curricular changes as well as increased comfort level across recommended practice behaviors. Regarding feasibility, 95% of residents completed training components and pre-/post-ratings indicated significant increases in comfort in identifying symptoms/risk for autism, providing feedback about diagnostic decision, and effectively connecting families with services. Outcomes suggest feasibility of model and significantly increased resident comfort level across a range of recommended practice behaviors. This project reflects a first step in advancing incorporation of autism training into pediatric residency programs. Lay abstract Most physician preparation programs do not provide enough practical experiences in autism-related care. This is especially true for how to assess for and diagnose autism. Without this training, many pediatricians are not well prepared to implement appropriate care for children with autism and their families. We designed a curriculum to improve training for medical residents that involved explicit hands-on training in diagnostic identification and care coordination for toddlers at risk for autism. We collected data to assess whether our enhanced curriculum led to increased comfort level across recommended practice behaviors. Almost all the residents were able to complete the training within their rotation and our surveys indicated significant increases in residents feeling more comfortable identifying symptoms of autism, providing feedback about diagnostic decisions, and effectively connecting families with services. A significant majority of residents considered it appropriate or very appropriate for children to receive a diagnosis solely from a primary care provider. Our results suggest feasibility of the enhanced model, and this project reflects the first step in advancing incorporation of autism training into pediatric residency programs.