Research abstract
British Dental Journal 199, 449 - 451 (2005)
Published online: 8 October 2005 | doi:10.1038/sj.bdj.4812744
Subject Category: Restorative dentistry
Hearts and mouths: perceptions of oral hygiene by at-risk heart surgery patients
R J Lowry1, P Maunder2, J G Steele3, J Colligan4, C A Beard5, J Harvey6 & G Erdos7
- Patients attending heart surgery units are often at high risk of heart disease arising from poor oral hygiene, so this study provides valuable and novel insights.
- Oral health care professionals will be able to devise interventions that are successful using the data presented in this article.
Abstract
Objective To assess and use the attitudes of patients who are placed at risk after valvular heart surgery due to the connection between poor oral hygiene, valvular heart disease/surgery and the risk of developing infective endocarditis.
Design A qualitative (focus group) design based study carried out on subjects three months post heart surgery.
Method There were five focus groups of five participants each convened by an experienced moderator.
Results These portrayed an apparent pressing desire by most patients to talk about their experiences. However, patients did not accept the link between their oral health and their general health. Oral hygiene practices were not necessarily oral health related.
Conclusions The importance of the study in understanding the reasons for a patient's behaviour is evident when there is a clear need to modify the behaviour patterns of the patients effectively. Clinical trials can now be developed based on these results.
- Senior Lecturer, Dental School, Framlington Place, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom, NE2 4BW
- Senior House Officer in Dental Public Health, Durham and Tees Valley Public Health Shared Services, Appleton House, Lanchester Road, Durham DH1 5XZ
- Consultant in Restorative Dentistry, Newcastle-upon-Tyne Dental Hospital, Richardson Road, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE2 4AZ
- Senior Research Associate, Directorate of Research and Development, Northumbria Healthcare NHS Trust, North Tyneside Hospital, Rake Lane, North Shields, Tyne and Wear, NE29 8NH
- Research Associate, Dental School, Framlington Place, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom, NE2 4BW
- Lecturer in Psychology, School of Biology, Henry Wellcome Building for Neuroecology, Newcastle University, Framlington Place, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE2 4HH
- Senior Lecturer in Psychology, School of Biology, Henry Wellcome Building for Neuroecology, Newcastle University, Framlington Place, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE2 4HH
Correspondence to: R J Lowry1 e-mail: r.j.lowry@ncl.ac.uk
