An evaluation of preventative education in primary care relating to patients' risk status for caries, periodontal disease, oral cancer, and tooth wear along with their respective risk factors

Abstract

Introduction Our understanding of oral conditions and their associated risk factors has evolved considerably over the last decade. Research shows links between systemic conditions, medications, and social/lifestyle factors, each influencing an individual's risk of developing dental diseases. Risk assessing every patient and providing tailored preventative advice is imperative and in line with NICE guidelines.¹

Methodology A questionnaire based audit was carried out involving 205 adult dental patients attending primary care centres in London and Portsmouth over a two-month period. After inter and intrapersonal standardisation steps were carried out, a pilot study was completed and relevant changes made prior to final data collection. Patients' awareness of their risk status for developing the following conditions: caries, periodontal disease, oral cancer, and tooth wear was assessed along with their associated risk factors.

Results Results highlighted that a minority of patients were aware of their risk statuses for the four dental diseases assessed, whilst the majority of patients thought they should have been informed of this by their dentist. The biggest discrepancy was for oral cancer where only 26.8% of patients audited were aware of their risk status, whereas 86.3% thought they should have been informed of this. Optimistically, the delivery of oral hygiene instruction (OHI) seemed to be more widespread. Overall, patients preferred having advice emailed to them rather than in a solely verbal or written (leaflet) format. 72.9% of people thought a digital risk assessment form which provides them with advice will improve their understanding of their oral health.

Conclusions This audit exemplified the need for new methods of conveying preventative oral health education effectively, in a time-efficient and beneficial way for both the patient and clinician. Recommendations included implementing a digital risk assessment model with an online preventative education platform. Other more low-cost recommendations include an increase in training for both nurses and dentists as well as directing patients to online based resources.