16 research outputs found
Oral Health Practitioners’ Knowledge and Attitudes About Child Abuse and Neglect
No full textChild abuse and neglect (CAN) is a significant issue for New Zealand – evidence suggests at least one in five children have had statutory child protection reports, with approximately 10% substantiated (Rouland & Vaithianathan, 2018). Given that the government provides free dental care to tamariki, and oral manifestations of CAN are commonly evident (Sarkar et al., 2021), oral health practitioners (OHP) are in a critical position to detect signs and symptoms of CAN and report to child protection agencies. The government’s guidelines and legislation support OHP’ roles in child protection, yet there is a gap between policy and practice. Oral Health Therapists (OHTs) and Dental Therapists (DTs) provide dental care to children and adolescents aged under 18 years old in public and private dental sectors. Descriptive exploratory survey research was conducted to understand the knowledge and attitudes of OHTs and DTs in detecting and reporting CAN in a dental setting. Findings of the anonymous survey (n = 92, response rate = 15.8%) indicated 77% of participants had suspected CAN during their careers; however, only 21% have ever reported a suspected case. OHTs and DTs have encountered an average of 6.8 potential CAN cases during their careers. Still, only 1.8 potential cases were reported to child protection agencies. Participants identified fear of false reporting (70%) and further violence (57%), and a lack of knowledge to detect (48%) and report (56%) as potential barriers. Findings confirmed knowledge and attitude gaps of OHTs and DTs towards CAN. Inadequate knowledge of reporting processes and ethical dilemmas were common barriers to taking action. Such an effort to enhance the knowledge and attitudes of OHTs and DTs will be necessary to promote child safety and wellbeing. In this presentation, I will discuss potential areas to focus to improve OHP’s responsiveness in child protection
Supporting Oral Health Practitioners’ Role in Child Protection: Current Approaches and Effort
No full textChild protection is an essential aspect of hauora for tamariki and taitamariki, and the role of oral health practitioners in this realm is increasingly recognised. In a unique capacity, oral health practitioners stand at the forefront of identifying orofacial manifestations of maltreatment within the orofacial region, supporting patients and their whanau, and collaborating with an integrated team of diverse disciplines (Han et al., 2022). Regrettably, studies reveal diminished responsiveness among New Zealand's oral health practitioners in child protection matters (Tilvawala et al., 2014), with a noticeable lack of clear guides or strategies to assist them. A scoping review is proceeding to explore international approaches and efforts to support oral health practitioners’ role in child protection. This review employs a systematic approach to identifying and mapping the breadth and depth of evidence in the field, irrespective of the source. The JBI methodology for scoping reviews guides the process (Peters et al., 2020), utilising the PCC (Population – Concept – Context) framework to establish inclusion and exclusion criteria. Any approaches and efforts to address and enhance the responsiveness of oral health practitioners in child protection were included in the review. A three-step search strategy was implemented, the search was conducted across five databases, and further searching of the grey literature was conducted. Two independent reviewers screened a total of 787 sources, and 25 sources were included in the review. Every step was piloted and calibrated to ensure consistency. A piloted data extraction form is used to help synthesise data systematically. The key findings can inform future policy development, practice guidelines, and educational initiatives to enhance the responsiveness and role of oral health practitioners in child protection
Barriers and Facilitators for Dental Practitioners in Implementing Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy: A Scoping Review Protocol
No full textPurpose: Orofacial myofunctional therapy (OMT) addresses various dental issues and has evolved significantly since its emergence in the early 20th century. Despite its uses and effectiveness, the adoption of OMT among dental practitioners varies with a lack of comprehensive understanding in the field. This scoping review will aim to map the current evidence on OMT in dentistry, with a focus on the perspectives and attitudes of dental practitioners, as well as the barriers to and facilitators of its implementation in clinical practice.
Method: The planned scoping review adheres to the JBI methodology for scoping reviews guide, with data sourced from five databases, including MEDLINE, CINAHL, Scopus, Dentistry & Oral Science Source, and Cochrane Library. Inclusion criteria encompass dental practitioners' experiences with OMT, using the PCC mnemonic. Titles and abstracts will be screened by two independent reviewers, followed by full-texts, to identify relevant primary sources. The review will include primary studies of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods nature, and is limited to English-language publications. Data will be extracted by two independent reviewers and combined. The extracted data will be analyzed and displayed in a tabulated format, supplemented with a descriptive summary.
Conclusion: This scoping review will provide an understanding of the role of OMT in managing orofacial myofunctional disorders and other dental conditions. It seeks to identify barriers and facilitators in implementing OMT, aiming to guide strategies that encourage its adoption in dental practice. The findings are expected to contribute to integrating OMT into standard dental care as appropriate according to local regulations, enhancing the management of dental conditions and improving overall oral health outcomes
The Need for a Sustainability Dentistry Guideline in Aotearoa New Zealand
No full textEnvironmental sustainability has emerged as a significant issue in dental practices. Notably, the increased usage of personal protective equipment (PPE), primarily composed of single-use plastics (SUPs), poses a significant challenge to sustainable dentistry. This discussion paper explores the environmental implications of dental practices in Aotearoa New Zealand and the necessary interventions for transitioning towards sustainable dentistry, focusing on waste reduction.
Despite the growing awareness of environmental impacts among oral health practitioners, substantial barriers persist. These include a perceived conflict between high-quality patient care, infection control, and environmental sustainability. A lack of education on managing resources and robust sustainable guidelines heightens the lack of sustainable actions. The paper explores potential plastic waste reduction strategies and sustainable practices such as digitisation, 3D printing, and the development of eco-friendly materials for personal protective equipment (PPE). It also highlights the need for preventive care, effective recycling of SUPs and PPE, and meaningful partnerships with dental product companies for innovative solutions.
The paper advocates for creating sustainability dentistry guideline that align with the objectives of the Dental Council, Ministry of Health, and Ministry of Environment. Such guidelines would promote the integration of sustainability into daily operations of dental practices, using a plan-do-check-act (PDCA) model, and contribute towards a circular economy within the dental sector. The transition towards a more sustainable future for dentistry in New Zealand requires a multifaceted approach. This includes reevaluating traditional practices, increased research and collaboration, and formulating clear guidelines and sustainable waste management strategie
Assessing Dental Caries Experiences and Dental Service Delivery for Children with Disabilities in Auckland, New Zealand: A Mixed-Method Study
No full textIntroduction
Despite free dental care for children under 18 in New Zealand, children with disabilities face significant barriers to accessing these services, leading to disproportionately poorer oral health outcomes. A detailed understanding of the oral health status and service delivery for children with disabilities is essential to identify existing gaps and areas for improvement.
Aim
The study aims to examine the oral health status of children with disabilities in Auckland, New Zealand and explore the perspectives of clinicians and service managers working in the community dental service regarding oral health care for these children.
Methods
An explanatory sequential mixed-method design was utilised. The initial quantitative phase involved retrospective analysis of dental records of children with disabilities who received care through the community dental service. This was followed by the qualitative phase, which consisted of semi-structured interviews with clinicians and service managers.
Results
The study identified high caries rates and significant unmet dental care needs among children with disabilities. Clinicians and service managers recognised individual-level challenges, such as insufficient confidence and training. Additionally, broader systemic issues, including inadequate service design and barriers in service delivery, were also highlighted, contributing significantly to oral health disparities.
Discussion
This study highlights the urgent need for tailored dental services for children with disabilities in Auckland. It emphasises the importance of integrated care approaches and enhanced training for dental professionals to improve accessibility and outcomes in paediatric dental health care
Child Abuse Knowledge and Attitudes Among Dental and Oral Health Therapists in Aotearoa New Zealand: A Cross-Sectional Study
No full textBackground
Child abuse and neglect are significant social and health issues in New Zealand. As the government provides free oral care to children and adolescents, oral health practitioners are positioned to respond to child protection concerns. However, research on the knowledge and attitudes of oral health practitioners is limited. This study aimed to understand the knowledge and attitudes of New Zealand dental and oral health therapists in detecting and reporting child abuse and neglect.
Methods
In this descriptive exploratory cross-sectional study, we invited registered New Zealand dental and oral health therapists treating children and adolescents to the anonymous online survey.
Results
Among the 92 dental and oral health therapists, 72% agreed that they could recognise the signs and symptoms of child abuse and neglect. Yet, only 48% agreed they were familiar with the reporting process. During their professional careers, 62% had at least 1 suspected case; and only 21% had ever reported their concerns. Fear of false reporting (70%) was the most significant barrier.
Conclusions
Participants understood child abuse and neglect as significant social issues; however, the knowledge and attitudes to respond were limited. Efforts to enhance the knowledge and attitudes will be necessary to promote child safety and wellbeing
Use of Silver Diamine Fluoride in New Zealand Public Dental Services: A Scoping Review on Caries Prevention and Management in Children
No full textIntroduction
Despite government-funded dental care for children in New Zealand, dental caries was the leading cause of children’s hospitalisations in 2019, with 10.4% of children aged <14 years having had teeth removed due to caries in 2023. Silver diamine fluoride, widely used internationally, presents potential preventive and therapeutic options for managing caries in children following recent approval in New Zealand.
Aim
The review aims to map international literature on the use of silver diamine fluoride in preventing and managing dental caries, and to assess its contribution to achieving better and more equitable oral health outcomes for children aged 0–14 years.
Methods
The scoping review adhered to the scoping review guideline from the Joanna Briggs Institute Manual for Evidence Synthesis. Six databases were searched for primary studies addressing the uses of silver diamine fluoride as a caries management tool in paediatric dentistry.
Results
Of 1185 records screened, 88 studieswere included. The results were categorised into five themes: (1) effectiveness; (2) enablers; (3) adverse effects and barriers; (4) cost-effectiveness; and (5) promotion of oral health equity. The capability of silver diamine fluoride to arrest dental caries is well-supported by evidence, offering benefits such as non-invasiveness and improved quality of life for children. However, aesthetic concerns post-treatment and limited public awareness pose challenges to its broader application.
Discussion
Silver diamine fluoride has the potential to significantly reduce caries rates among New Zealand children. Further research is needed to explore its role in promoting oral health equity, and tailored policies and protocols need to be developed to align with the local context
Current approaches addressing oral health practitioners' responsiveness to child abuse and neglect: A scoping review protocol.
No full textIntroductionChild abuse and neglect (CAN) poses significant risks, causing severe and long-lasting effects on a child's well-being, including physical and mental health and learning and socializing capabilities. Oral health practitioners (OHPs) uniquely position themselves to identify signs of maltreatment in the orofacial area, offer appropriate support, and collaborate with a multidisciplinary team. The literature has shown that OHPs under-report child protection concerns to a statutory child protection agency. Responding to CAN is often hindered by various factors, such as the fear of making false accusations and insufficient knowledge to detect and report potential cases. However, the literature lacks a comprehensive understanding of the strategies and interventions that can address the responsiveness of OHPs and other professionals to child protection issues. This scoping review aims to provide a broad overview and map the literature on the existing approaches to enhance the responsiveness of OHPs in child protection.Materials and methodsThe proposed scoping review will be conducted following the JBI methodology for scoping reviews guideline and reported using the PRISMA-ScR guideline. The first exploratory search is conducted to refine the search strategy and inclusion and exclusion criteria. The second search will include MEDLINE (EBSCO), CINAHL (EBSCO), Dentistry & Oral Science Source (EBSCO), Cochrane Library, and Scopus, with a date range from January 2000 to March 2023. The third search will involve reference list searching and gray literature searching in Google and Google Scholar. Government and international health organizations' websites will be searched for policies and guidelines. The review will consider studies that report the current approaches to address OHPs' responsiveness to CAN in any setting. Two reviewers will independently select sources and extract data. Any disagreements will be resolved by consensus of the research team. The extracted data will be presented in a tabulated chart with a narrative summary
Current approaches addressing oral health practitioners’ responsiveness to child abuse and neglect: A scoping review protocol
No full text
