@article {Freeman:April 2005:1355-7610:42,
author = "Freeman, Ruth",
author = "Kerr, Gail",
author = "Salmon, Kathy",
author = "Speedy, Patti",
title = "Patient-Active Prevention in Primary Dental Care: A Characterisation of General Practices in Northern Ireland",
journal = "Primary Dental Care",
volume = "12",
year = "April 2005",
abstract = "Aim: To investigate the preventive orientation of general dental practices by examining their patient-active prevention activities, practice policies for prevention and employment strategies.Method: All general dental practices located within the region of the Eastern Health and Social Services Board (EHSSB) in Northern Ireland were contacted and invited to participate. A questionnaire assessed practice characteristics, patient-active prevention, practice policies and employment strategies. The principal general dental practitioner (GDP) was invited to complete the questionnaire.Results: Seventy-seven per cent of practices participated. Nearly all the practices provided patient-active prevention; however, lower proportions of dentists provided advice on diet for dental caries (3%), oral hygiene instruction, fluoride toothpaste use and interdental cleaning (7%) with each new course of dental treatment. 'Patient-active' prevention practices were 5.8 times more likely to employ a hygienist and 5.3 times more likely to have a practice policy to screen for oral cancer.Conclusions: These findings suggest that the employment of a hygienist is central to the reorientation of primary dental care. The Government must be encouraged to provide the financial means to allow primary care to shift from being disease-centred to health-focused.",
pages = "42-46(5)",
url = "http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/fgdp/pdc/2005/00000012/00000002/art00002"
doi = "doi:10.1308/1355761053695185"
}