Implementing evidence-based oral health guidelines: An evaluation of health care provider behavior change

Abstract

Primary care providers have not customarily provided oral assessments or offered anticipatory guidance about oral health care; dentists manage that task. Myths and access-to-care issues often result in limited or no dental care during pregnancy. Improving the oral health of pregnant women has a positive correlation with fewer dental caries in their children. Currently, evidence-based practice (EBP) oral health guidelines exist for pregnant women and children. While health care providers (HCPs) want to implement best practices, they find practice change challenging.

This project utilizes a planned change theory to guide the implementation of oral health guidelines with a methodical approach. Retrospective and prospective chart audits evaluate HCP behavior change. The chart audits reveal HCPs change behaviors after a practice intervention with a Primary Care Oral Assessment Tool (PCOAT), and again after introduction of EBP guidelines. Some changes in provider behavior were statistically and clinically significant.

Keywords: pregnancy, pregnant, prenatal, antenatal, dental care, oral health, and practice guidelines