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- Title
Implementing the Pediatric Oral Quality of Life (POQL) instrument in clinical practice: Early results.
- Authors
Gadbury-Amyot, Cynthia C.; Simmer-Beck, Melanie L.; Scott, JoAnna M.
- Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this study was twofold: first, to elevate the importance of oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in the minds of oral health care providers involved in this project; and second, to evaluate the experience of those providers in administering the Pediatric Oral Quality of Life (POQL) instrument and propose strategies for implementation based on lessons learned. Methods: A workshop was conducted in summer 2016 during which participants were informed of their role in the project including the collection of OHRQoL data. At the end of the workshop attendees completed an evaluation stating that they agreed or strongly agreed that they had a good understanding of OHRQoL and felt competent to administer the POQL chairside. The oral health care workers administered the POQL to children and parents or guardians in fall 2016. A 17-item questionnaire designed to investigate how they felt about utilizing the POQL in practice was administered. Results: Twelve of nineteen practitioners (63%) provided full responses. Half were dental hygienists, 3 were dental assistants, 2 were office administrators, and 1 was a dentist. The majority reported full-time employment and had worked in their organization for 2 to 3 years. All child POQLs were completed chairside at various times during the appointment. Administration of the POQL took on average 6 minutes with most children receptive although not always sure why they were being asked how they felt about their teeth and mouth. Parents and guardians raised no objections to filling out the POQL or having their child do so. Oral health care workers reported the POQL provided greater insight into the child and his or her oral health. Challenges included the need to explain or rephrase questions, fitting the POQL instrument into the workflow, and time. Conclusion: Training and implementation of the POQL instrument introduced the concept of OHRQoL measures as a part of data collection in dentistry. The oral health care worker responses and comments on the 17-item questionnaire show an elevated awareness of OHRQoL as a result of participating in this project. These early results indicate that implementing an OHRQoL measure in practice requires little time while providing a more complete picture of the impact of a child's oral condition on their quality of life.
- Subjects
CANADA; QUALITY of life; ORAL hygiene; ATTITUDE (Psychology); DENTAL hygiene; MEDICAL personnel; QUESTIONNAIRES; RESEARCH funding; ADULT education workshops; CHILDREN; PSYCHOLOGY
- Publication
Canadian Journal of Dental Hygiene, 2018, Vol 52, Issue 2, p122
- ISSN
1712-171X
- Publication type
Article