Authors: Wooten, Katherine T.¹; Lee, Jessica²; Jared, Heather³; Boggess, Kim⁴; Wilder, Rebecca S.⁵

Source: Journal of Dental Hygiene, Volume 85, Number 2, Spring 2011 , pp. 122-131(10)

Publisher: American Dental Hygienists' Association

Abstract:

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge, opinions and practice behaviors of nurse practitioners (NP) and certified nurse midwives (CNM) regarding periodontal disease and adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Methods: A 45 item survey was developed, approved, pretested, revised and mailed to 404 North Carolina NPs and CNMs who provide prenatal care. Data was entered into an excel database and transferred to SPSS for Windows for complete analy sis. Linear regression modeling was used to determine statisti cal significance.

Results: A total of 219 NPs and CNMs responded to the mailed survey, achieving a response rate of 54%. NPs and CNMs re ported having limited knowledge regarding oral health. The majority felt they should collaborate with oral health care professionals to screen patients for periodontal disease. Most agreed they needed more information about periodontal disease and adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Conclusion: NPs and CNMs who frequently examine women could serve an important role in screening for oral health problems and making appropriate dental health referrals. Increased basic and continuing education could prepare these professionals for collaborative care with oral health care professionals. This study suggests that collaboration between NPs and CNMs with dental professionals could lead to improved oral health care for pregnant patients.

Keywords: PERIODONTAL DISEASE; PRETERM BIRTH; ADVERSE PREGNANCY OUTCOMES; ORAL HEALTH KNOWLEDGE; INTERPROFESSIONAL COLLABORATION; NURSE PRACTITIONERS; CERTIFIED NURSE MIDWIVES

Document Type: Research article

Affiliations: 1: Adjunct clinical instructor at the University of North Caro lina School of Dentistry 2: Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatric Dentistry at the University of North Carolina 3: Senior Study Coordinator for Rho in Chapel Hill, NC 4: Associate Professor in the Department of Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, University of North Car olina School of Medicine 5: Professor and Director of Graduate Dental Hygiene Education, Interim Director of Undergraduate Dental Hygiene and Director of Faculty Development at the University of North Carolina School of Dentistry

Publication date: 2011-03-01

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