Caries
Yu Jie Ong, Bachelor of Dental Surgery (Singapore)
Paediatric Dental Resident
National Dental Centre Singapore
Faculty of Dentistry, National University of Singapore
Singapore, Singapore
Beau D. Meyer, DDS, MPH
Assistant Professor
The Ohio State University
Columbus, Ohio, United States
Yu Ting Eline Quek, BSc (Nursing)
National University Polyclinics
Mun Loke Wong, Bachelor of Dental Surgery (Singapore), MSc (Dental Public Health) (with Distinction) (London) DDPH RCS (England) MBA (Singapore)
Faculty of Dentistry, National University of Singapore
Catherine Hsu-Ling Hong, BDS, MS
Faculty of Dentistry, National University of Singapore
Shijia Hu, BDS, PhD
Faculty of Dentistry, National University of Singapore
Catherine Hsu-Ling Hong, BDS, MS
Faculty of Dentistry, National University of Singapore
Shijia Hu, BDS, PhD
Faculty of Dentistry, National University of Singapore
Purpose: The objectives of this study were to investigate the attitudes, beliefs, and perceptions of nurses, identify possible barriers and make recommendations related to treatment with silver diamine fluoride (SDF) by nurses at the well-child visit.
Methods: This mixed-methods study involved a questionnaire and individual interviews. The questionnaire elicited attitudes and beliefs of nurses who worked with children regarding providing oral hygiene advice, examination, and certain dental interventions. Semi-structured interviews were subsequently conducted to gain a deeper understanding of their perspectives on SDF application by nurses.
Results: All eligible nurses (n=110) completed the questionnaire, and interviews (n=16) were conducted within this sample until theoretical data saturation. Questionnaire responses highlighted that nurses were not confident providing oral health services (score: < 3 out of 5) beyond oral hygiene advice (score: ≥3.9 out of 5) but were more willing to do so for individuals with issues accessing care. Interviews reflected that most viewed oral health care as an important part of paediatric health but were limited by insufficient knowledge, time, and manpower. Most reported that with formal education and training, competency assessments and specific approaches to counter time limitations, they would be willing to expand their job scope to include SDF application.
Conclusion: In settings where nurses have been providing oral health services like fluoride varnish, introducing SDF application could be the next step forward. Our findings suggest that in these instances systemic changes should include specific strategies to empower and motivate nurses to provide treatment with SDF at the well-child visit.