Patients' comfort with and receipt of health risk assessments during routine dental visits: Results from the South Atlantic region of the US National Dental Practice-Based Research Network.

OBJECTIVES: To understand patients' comfort with health risk assessments (HRAs) and patient and dentist factors associated with the provision of HRAs. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 857 patients seen by 30 dental practitioners in the United States National Dental Practice-Based Research Network reported their comfort receiving HRA for six risk factors (tobacco use, alcohol use, dietary sugar intake, human immunodeficiency virus risks, human papillomavirus risks and existing medical conditions) and whether they discussed any of the risk factors during their visits. Multi-level logistic models were used to examine the impacts of patient, practitioner, practice characteristics on the (1) number of risk factors patients were comfortable discussing and (2) number of risk factors assessed in the current dental visit. RESULTS: Only a small percentage (4%) of patients reported being uncomfortable receiving any HRA during their dental visits. However, over half of the patients (53%) reported that they did not receive any HRAs during the current visit. In the regression analyses, patients who were older, male and from the suburban were more likely to be comfortable with more HRAs. Dentists were more likely to provide HRA if they were younger, not non-Hispanic white, less likely to feel that providing HRAs was beyond their scope of practice, yet more likely to feel occasional discomfort in providing HRA. CONCLUSIONS: Interventions should focus on reducing dental practitioner perception that conducting HRAs is beyond their scope of practice and standardizing screening assessments for multiple risk factors.

Evidence-practice gap in treatment decisions about defective composite and amalgam restorations among Brazilian dentists

Better understanding of dentists' decision-making about defective restorations is needed to close the evidence-practice gap (EPG). This study aimed to quantify the EPG about defective restorations and identify dentist factors associated with this EPG. Methods: 216 dentists from São Paulo State, Brazil, completed a questionnaire about three clinical case scenarios involving defective composite restorations with cementum-dentin margins (case 1) and enamel margins (case 2), and an amalgam (case 3) restoration. Dentists were asked what treatment, if any, they would recommend, including preventive treatment, polishing, re-surfacing, or repairing the restoration, or replacing the entire restoration. Replacing the entire restoration in any of these three scenarios was classified as inconsistent with the evidence, comprising an EPG. Bivariate analyses using Chi-square, ANOVA, or multiple comparison tests were performed (p<.05). Results: for defective composite restorations, 49% and 55% of dentists chose to replace the entire restoration for cases 1 and 2, respectively. Twenty-nine percent of dentists chose to replace the entire amalgam restoration. Dentists were significantly more likely to choose to replace the defective amalgam restoration than the composite restoration with a defect at the cementum-dentin margins or the enamel margins (both at p < .001). Female dentists were more likely to choose a conservative treatment than male dentists for cases 1 (p=.034) and 2 (p=.009). Dentists with a higher percentage of patients interested in individualized caries prevention were also more conservative in case 1 (p=.045). Conclusion: a substantial EPG regarding treatment decisions for defective restorations exists, especially for composite restorations. This study adds to the international evidence that an EPG exists in this clinical area and that global strategies need to be developed to close the gap

Evidence-practice gap in treatment recommendations for proximal caries among Brazilian dentists / Lacuna entre a evidência e a prática nas recomendações de tratamento para cárie proximal entre dentistas brasileiros

ABSTRACT Little is known about how Brazilian dentists' treatment decisions for proximal carious lesions are compared to current evidence-based recommendations, so better understanding is needed to close any potential evidence-practice gap. Objectives: This cross-sectional study aimed to quantify the evidence-practice gap about proximal carious lesions treatment and identify dentist factors associated with this evidence-practice gap. Methods: Brazilian dentists (n=214) from Araraquara, São Paulo State, "completed a questionnaire about their dentist and practice characteristics and a translated version of the "Assessment of Caries Diagnosis and Caries Treatment" from the U.S. National Dental Practice-Based Research Network. Five radiographic images of proximal carious lesions in low-risk and high-risk patient scenarios were used. Associations between treatment recommendations and lesion, dentist, and practice characteristics were tested for statistical significance (p<0.05). Results: Lesions confined to the enamel would be restored by 35% and 71% of dentists in the low-risk and high-risk patient scenarios, respectively, suggesting a substantial evidence-practice gap given that surgical intervention of enamel lesions is not consistent with current evidence. The lesion depth threshold to recommend a permanent restoration differed between the low-risk and high-risk patient scenarios (p<0.001). Specific dentist/practice characteristics (dentist gender, graduate of a public dental school, postgraduate training, use of caries risk assessment) were significantly associated with the evidence-practice gap, but the magnitude of these differences was not major Conclusion: A substantial evidence-practice gap in treatment of proximal carious lesions was found for the sample overall, even when clinical scenarios presented low-risk patients. Global strategies are needed to close this substantial evidence-practice gap.

RESUMO Pouco se sabe se as decisões de tratamento dos dentistas brasileiros para lesões cariosas proximais são comparadas às recomendações atuais baseadas em evidências, portanto, é necessário um melhor entendimento para fechar qualquer potencial lacuna entre a evidência e a prática. Purpose: Este estudo transversal teve como objetivo quantificar a lacuna entre a evidência e a prática na decisão de tratamento das lesões cariosas proximais e identificar os fatores associados a essa lacuna entre a evidência e a prática. Methods: Cirurgiões-dentistas brasileiros (n=214) de Araraquara, Estado de São Paulo, preencheram um questionário sobre suas características odontológicas e clínicas e uma versão traduzida do "Assessment of Caries Diagnosis and Caries Treatment" da U.S. National Dental Practice-Based Research Network. Cinco imagens radiográficas de lesões cariosas proximais em cenários de pacientes de baixo risco e alto risco foram usadas. Associações entre recomendações de tratamento e lesão, dentista e características da prática foram testadas (p<0,05). Results: As lesões confinadas ao esmalte seriam restauradas por 35% e 71% dos dentistas nos cenários de pacientes de baixo risco e alto risco, respectivamente, sugerindo uma lacuna entre a evidência e a prática substancial, dado que a intervenção cirúrgica das lesões do esmalte não é consistente com as evidências atuais. O limiar de profundidade da lesão para recomendar uma restauração permanente diferiu entre os cenários de pacientes de baixo risco e alto risco (p<0,001). Características específicas do dentista/prática (sexo do dentista, graduado em uma faculdade pública, pós-graduação, uso da avaliação de risco de cárie) foram significativamente associadas à lacuna entre a evidência e a prática, mas a magnitude dessas diferenças não foi importante. Conclusions: uma lacuna entre a evidência e a prática substancial na decisão de tratamento de lesões cariosas proximais foi encontrada para a amostra como um todo, mesmo quando os cenários clínicos apresentavam pacientes de baixo risco. Estratégias globais são necessárias para fechar essa lacuna entre a evidência e a prática.

Acute pain pathways: protocol for a prospective cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: Opioid analgesics are often used to treat moderate-to-severe acute non-cancer pain; however, there is little high-quality evidence to guide clinician prescribing. An essential element to developing evidence-based guidelines is a better understanding of pain management and pain control among individuals experiencing acute pain for various common diagnoses. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This multicentre prospective observational study will recruit 1550 opioid-naïve participants with acute pain seen in diverse clinical settings including primary/urgent care, emergency departments and dental clinics. Participants will be followed for 6 months with the aid of a patient-centred health data aggregating platform that consolidates data from study questionnaires, electronic health record data on healthcare services received, prescription fill data from pharmacies, and activity and sleep data from a Fitbit activity tracker. Participants will be enrolled to represent diverse races and ethnicities and pain conditions, as well as geographical diversity. Data analysis will focus on assessing patients' patterns of pain and opioid analgesic use, along with other pain treatments; associations between patient and condition characteristics and patient-centred outcomes including resolution of pain, satisfaction with care and long-term use of opioid analgesics; and descriptive analyses of patient management of leftover opioids. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This study has received approval from IRBs at each site. Results will be made available to participants, funders, the research community and the public. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04509115.

Dental practitioners' use of health risk assessments for a variety of health conditions: Results from the South Atlantic region of The National Dental Practice-Based Research Network.

BACKGROUND: An important step in integrating dental and medical care is improving understanding of the frequency and characteristics of dental practitioners who conduct health risk assessments (HRAs). METHODS: From September 2017 through July 2018, active dentist and hygienist members of the South Atlantic region of The National Dental Practice-Based Research Network (N = 870) were invited to participate in a survey evaluating their HRA practices (screening, measuring, discussing, referring patients) for 6 health conditions (obesity, hypertension, sexual activities, diabetes, alcohol use, tobacco use). For each health condition, the authors used ordinal logistic regression to measure the associations among the practitioner's HRA practices and the practitioner's characteristics, barriers, and practice characteristics. RESULTS: Most of the 475 responding practitioners (≥ 72%) reported they at least occasionally complete 1 or more HRA steps for the health conditions except sexual activities. Most practitioners screened (that is, asked about) and gave referral information to affected patients for diabetes (56%) and hypertension (63%). Factors associated with each increased HRA practice for 2 or more outcomes were non-Hispanic white compared with Hispanic practitioner (cumulative odds ratio [COR] obesity, 0.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.2 to 0.8; and COR diabetes, 0.3; 95% CI 0.2 to 0.8), male compared with female practitioner (COR tobacco, 0.3; 95% CI, 0.2 to 0.7; and COR hypertension, 0.4; 95% CI 0.2 to 0.8), and practitioner discomfort (COR, obesity and alcohol use, 0.7; 95% CI, 0.6 to 0.9; and COR, sexual activities 0.6; 95% CI 0.5 to 0.8). CONCLUSIONS AND PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Dental practitioners are conducting HRA practices for multiple conditions. Interventions should focus on reducing practitioner discomfort and target non-Hispanic white, male practitioners.

Methods for Caries Prevention in Children Reported by Dentists from a Brazilian Community

ABSTRACT Objective: To describe the dental practice patterns related to caries prevention in children aged 6-18 years and associated factors. Material and Methods: Dentists (n=162) from Araraquara, Brazil, completed two paper questionnaires: (1) one about characteristics of their practice and their patient population; and (2) a translated version of the "Assessment of Caries Diagnosis and Caries Treatment" Questionnaire from the National Dental Practice-Based Research Network. Regression analyses were used for data analysis (p<0.05). Results: Dentists reported using in-office fluoride (IOF) and dental sealants (DS) in 74.2% and 45.1% of their pediatric patients, respectively. Regression analysis showed that female dentists (p=0.035 for DS; p=0.044 for IOF; p=0.011 for non-prescription fluoride rinse), those with advanced degrees (p=0.032 for prescription of fluoride), those who graduated from a private dental school (p=0.018 for chlorhexidine rinse), those who provided caries prevention regimens (p<0.001 for DS; p=0.004 for IOF; p=0.013 for non-prescription fluoride rinse), those with a greater percentage of patients interested in a caries prevention regimen (p=0.007 for non-prescription fluoride rinse), those working in a private practice model (p=0.047 for prescription of fluoride) were more likely to recommend some type of preventive methods to their pediatric patients. Conclusion: Dentists reported recommending IOF to most of their pediatric patients. Certain dentists', practices', and patients' characteristics were associated to some caries prevention regimens recommended by dentists.

Secure Asynchronous Communication Between Smokers and Tobacco Treatment Specialists: Secondary Analysis of a Web-Assisted Tobacco Intervention in the QUIT-PRIMO and National Dental PBRN Networks.

BACKGROUND: Within a web-assisted tobacco intervention, we provided a function for smokers to asynchronously communicate with a trained tobacco treatment specialist (TTS). Previous studies have not attempted to isolate the effect of asynchronous counseling on smoking cessation. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to conduct a semiquantitative analysis of TTS-smoker communication and evaluate its association with smoking cessation. METHODS: We conducted a secondary analysis of data on secure asynchronous communication between trained TTSs and a cohort of smokers during a 6-month period. Smokers were able to select their preferred TTS and message them using a secure web-based form. To evaluate whether the TTS used evidence-based practices, we coded messages using the Motivational Interviewing Self-Evaluation Checklist and Smoking Cessation Counseling (SCC) Scale. We assessed the content of messages initiated by the smokers by creating topical content codes. At 6 months, we assessed the association between smoking cessation and the amount of TTS use and created a multivariable model adjusting for demographic characteristics and smoking characteristics at baseline. RESULTS: Of the 725 smokers offered asynchronous counseling support, 33.8% (245/725) messaged the TTS at least once. A total of 1082 messages (TTSs: 565; smokers 517) were exchanged between the smokers and TTSs. The majority of motivational interviewing codes were those that supported client strengths (280/517, 54.1%) and promoted engagement (280/517, 54.1%). SCC code analysis showed that the TTS provided assistance to smokers if they were willing to quit (247/517, 47.8%) and helped smokers prepare to quit (206/517, 39.8%) and anticipate barriers (197/517, 38.1%). The majority of smokers' messages discussed motivations to quit (234/565, 41.4%) and current and past treatments (talking about their previous use of nicotine replacement therapy and medications; 201/565, 35.6%). The majority of TTS messages used behavioral strategies (233/517, 45.1%), offered advice on treatments (189/517, 36.5%), and highlighted motivations to quit (171/517, 33.1%). There was no association between the amount of TTS use and cessation. In the multivariable model, after adjusting for gender, age, race, education, readiness at baseline, number of cigarettes smoked per day at baseline, and the selected TTS, smokers messaging the TTS one or two times had a smoking cessation odds ratio (OR) of 0.8 (95% CI 0.4-1.4), and those that messaged the TTS more than two times had a smoking cessation OR of 1.0 (95% CI 0.4-2.3). CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated the feasibility of using asynchronous counseling to deliver evidence-based counseling. Low participant engagement or a lack of power could be potential explanations for the nonassociation with smoking cessation. Future trials should explore approaches to increase participant engagement and test asynchronous counseling in combination with other approaches for improving the rates of smoking cessation.

Methods for caries prevention in adults among dentists from a brazilian community

Little is known about dental practice patterns of caries prevention in adults among Brazilian dentists. Aim: To quantify procedures used for caries prevention for adult patients among dentists from a Brazilian community. Methods: Dentists (n=197) who reported that at least 10% of their patients are more than 18 years old participated in the first Brazilian study that used a translated version of the "Assessment of Caries Diagnosis and Caries Treatment" from the U.S. National Dental Practice-Based Research Network. A questionnaire about characteristics of their practice and patient population were also completed by the dentists. Generalized linear regression models and a hierarchal clustering procedure were used (p<0.05). Results: In-office fluoride application was the preventive method most often reported. The main predictors for recommending some preventive agent were: female dentist (dental sealant; in-office fluoride; non-prescription fluoride) and percentage of patients interested in caries prevention (dental sealant; in-office fluoride; non-prescription fluoride). Other predictors included private practice (dental sealant), percentage of patients 65 years or older (in-office fluoride), graduation from a private dental school (non-prescription fluoride), years since dental school graduation (chlorhexidine rinse) and using a preventive method (recommending sealant/fluoride/chlorhexidine rinse/sugarless, xylitol gum). Cluster analysis showed that dentists in the largest subgroup seldom used any of the preventive agents. Conclusion: Dentists most often reported in-office fluoride as a method for caries prevention in adults. Some practitioner, practice and patients' characteristics were positively associated with more-frequent use of a preventive agent

Comparison of the accuracy of CBCT effective radiation dose information in peer-reviewed journals and dental media.

Accessible sources of clinical information have proliferated over the past decade. Although these new sources that contextualize information for practice are user friendly, there are questions about their accuracy because much of the material is not peer reviewed. On the other hand, traditional peer-reviewed material can be somewhat removed from the needs of practicing dentists, and recently questions have been raised about the accuracy of journals. This study assessed the accuracy of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) radiation safety information in both professional media and peer-reviewed journals. Articles introducing CBCT technology to dentists and published in peer-reviewed journals were compared to articles appearing in professional magazines, clinically oriented news sites, and blogs written by clinicians for clinicians. The reported radiation doses of CBCT and conventional dental radiographs were recorded, as were conclusions about the comparative doses of these 2 imaging modalities. The proportion of articles reporting CBCT dose to be greater than, equal to, or less than that of conventional dental radiographs was not different between the peer-reviewed and professional media articles during the period 2003-2016. There is weak evidence that the conclusions of peer-reviewed journal articles, but not professional media sources, became more conservative after the 2010 publication of an article in The New York Times that was critical of misinformation concerning the safety and efficacy of CBCT in dentistry. Professional media articles that were not peer reviewed were as accurate as peer-reviewed journals for this topic and during the time period assessed. However, the method used here necessitated a narrow focus, and more studies are needed to broaden understanding.

Feasibility and acceptance of oral human papillomavirus detection in the dental office: Results from The National Dental Practice-Based Research Network.

BACKGROUND: Oral human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the principal underlying cause of a dramatic increase in oropharyngeal cancer. Dentistry can play an important role in developing clinical algorithms for secondary prevention. METHODS: The authors conducted this cross-sectional pilot study with practices of The National Dental Practice-Based Research Network. The authors evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of screening and testing procedures as judged by practitioners and patients. The authors used tablet devices for patient screening, obtaining consent, and administering a confidential oral HPV risk factor survey. RESULTS: Most patients (85%) were comfortable being asked about their cigarette use and their sexual behavior (69%) and were interested in participating again (79%). More than 90% of practitioners were comfortable with study procedures except the extra time required for patient participation (75% comfortable). There were no problems with oral rinse collection as reported by patients or practitioners. CONCLUSIONS: It is feasible in community dental offices to collect oral rinses for HPV detection and to ask patients explicit questions about sexual history when using a tablet device for confidentiality. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Discussing high-risk types of HPV and appropriately assessing that risk are a challenge for oral health care professionals. These results are positive from a research perspective but do not address the advisability of routine HPV screening in dentistry.

Missed Opportunities for Detecting Alternative Nicotine Product Use in Youth: Data From the National Dental Practice-Based Research Network.

PURPOSE: With growing rates of youth e-cigarette and hookah use, and the fact that use of these products is difficult to detect, surveillance and early detection efforts need to be reassessed. Physicians and pediatricians both report that their level of knowledge about these products is low. Given that over 80% of youth have had dental visits in the past year and that the effects of nicotine use are visible early in routine dental examinations, it is likely that dental professionals are well positioned to play a critical role in detection. Currently, the knowledge about alternative nicotine among practicing dental clinicians is unknown. METHODS: One thousand seven hundred and twenty-two dental professionals in community practice in the United States National Dental Practice-Based Research Network responded to a survey in the summer/fall of 2016. These data were supplemented with network membership enrollment data, and the American Community Survey, and were analyzed using descriptive statistics, measures of association, and logistic regression. RESULTS: Only 25%-36% of dental professionals feel knowledgeable about the most common types of alternative nicotine products, including e-cigarettes and hookahs. Thirty-eight percent of respondents reported not screening at all for e-cigarettes. CONCLUSIONS: A substantial percentage of dental professionals do not have a working understanding of alternative nicotine products, nor are aware of their patients' use rates. Better access to information and training on alternative nicotine products could provide an opportunity to improve surveillance for early use of these products in youth populations.

Exploring Online Asynchronous Counseling With Tobacco Treatment Specialists in the QUIT-PRIMO and National Dental PBRN HI-QUIT Studies: Who Uses It and What Do They Say?

PURPOSE: To describe the content of messages sent by smokers through asynchronous counseling within a Web-based smoking cessation intervention. DESIGN: Qualitative. SETTING: National community-based setting of patients who had been engaged by the medical or dental practices at which they attended or via Google advertisements. PARTICIPANTS: Adults older than 19 years who were current smokers and interested in quitting. Participants throughout the United States referred to a Web-based cessation intervention by their medical or dental provider or by clicking on a Google advertisement. METHODS: We conducted a qualitative review of 742 asynchronous counseling messages sent by 270 Web site users. Messages were reviewed, analyzed, and organized into qualitative themes by the investigative team. RESULTS: The asynchronous counseling feature of the intervention was used most frequently by smokers who were white (87%), female (67%), aged 45 to 54 (32%), and who had at least some college-level education (70%). Qualitative analysis yielded 7 basic themes-Talk about the Process of Quitting, Barriers to Quitting, Reasons to Quit, Quit History, Support and Strategies for Quitting, Quitting with Medication, and Quit Progress. The most common theme was Support and Strategies for Quitting with 255 references among all messages. CONCLUSION: We found rich communication across the spectrum of the quit process, from persons preparing to quit to those who had successfully quit. Asynchronous smoking cessation counseling provides a promising means of social support for smokers during the quit process.

Online tobacco websites and online communities-who uses them and do users quit smoking? The quit-primo and national dental practice-based research network Hi-Quit studies.

Online tobacco cessation communities are beneficial but underused. Our study examined whether, among smokers participating in a web-assisted tobacco intervention (Decide2quit.org), specific characteristics were associated with navigating to BecomeAnEx.org, an online cessation community, and with subsequent quit rates. Among smokers (N = 759) registered with Decide2quit.org, we identified visitors to BecomeAnEx.org, examining associations between smoker characteristics and likelihood of visiting. We then tested for associations between visits and 6-month cessation (point prevalence). We also tested for an interaction between use of other online support-seeking (Decide2quit.org tobacco cessation coaches), visiting, and 6-month cessation. One quarter (26.0 %; n = 197) of the smokers visited BecomeAnEx.org; less than one tenth (7.5 %; n = 57) registered to participate in the online forum. Visitors were more likely to be female (73.0 vs. 62.6 % of non-visitors, P < 0.01) to have visited a cessation website before (33.0 vs. 17.4 %, P < 0.01) and to report quit attempts in the previous year (62.0 vs. 53.0 %, P = 0.03). In analyses of all participants, BecomeAnEx.org visiting was not associated with 6-month quit completion. Among participants who communicated with a coach, BecomeAnEx.org visiting also lacked a significant association with 6 month quit completion, although a non-significant trend toward quit completion in visitors was noted (OR 2.21, 95 % CI 0.81-3.1). Online cessation communities attract smokers with previous cessation website experience and recent quit attempts. Community visiting was not associated with quit rates in our study, but low use may have limited our power to detect differences. Further research should explore whether an additive effect can be achieved by offering community visitors support via online coaches.

Provision of Specific Dental Procedures By General Dentists in the National Dental Practice-Based Research Network: Questionnaire Findings.

BACKGROUND: Objectives were to: (1) determine whether and how often general dentists (GDs) provide specific dental procedures; and (2) test the hypothesis that provision is associated with key dentist, practice, and patient characteristics. METHODS: GDs (n = 2,367) in the United States National Dental Practice-Based Research Network completed an Enrollment Questionnaire that included: (1) dentist; (2) practice; and (3) patient characteristics, and how commonly they provide each of 10 dental procedures. We determined how commonly procedures were provided and tested the hypothesis that provision was substantively related to the 3 sets of characteristics. RESULTS: Two procedure categories were classified as "uncommon" (orthodontics, periodontal surgery), 3 were "common" (molar endodontics; implants; non-surgical periodontics), and 5 were "very common" (restorative; esthetic procedures; extractions; removable prosthetics; non-molar endodontics). Dentist, practice, and patient characteristics were substantively related to procedure provision; several characteristics seemed to have pervasive effects, such as dentist gender, training after dental school, full-time/part- time status, private practice vs. institutional practice, presence of a specialist in the same practice, and insurance status of patients. CONCLUSIONS: As a group, GDs provide a comprehensive range of procedures. However, provision by individual dentists is substantively related to certain dentist, practice, and patient characteristics. A large number and broad range of factors seem to influence which procedures GDs provide. This may have implications for how GDs respond to the ever-changing landscape of dental care utilization, patient population demography, scope of practice, delivery models and GDs' evolving role in primary care.

Provision of specific dental procedures by general dentists in the National Dental Practice-Based Research Network: questionnaire findings.

BACKGROUND: Objectives were to: (1) determine whether and how often general dentists (GDs) provide specific dental procedures; and (2) test the hypothesis that provision is associated with key dentist, practice, and patient characteristics. METHODS: GDs (n = 2,367) in the United States National Dental Practice-Based Research Network completed an Enrollment Questionnaire that included: (1) dentist; (2) practice; and (3) patient characteristics, and how commonly they provide each of 10 dental procedures. We determined how commonly procedures were provided and tested the hypothesis that provision was substantively related to the three sets of characteristics. RESULTS: Two procedure categories were classified as "uncommon" (orthodontics, periodontal surgery), three were "common" (molar endodontics; implants; non-surgical periodontics), and five were "very common" (restorative; esthetic procedures; extractions; removable prosthetics; non-molar endodontics). Dentist, practice, and patient characteristics were substantively related to procedure provision; several characteristics seemed to have pervasive effects, such as dentist gender, training after dental school, full-time/part-time status, private practice vs. institutional practice, presence of a specialist in the same practice, and insurance status of patients. CONCLUSIONS: As a group, GDs provide a comprehensive range of procedures. However, provision by individual dentists is substantively related to certain dentist, practice, and patient characteristics. A large number and broad range of factors seem to influence which procedures GDs provide. This may have implications for how GDs respond to the ever-changing landscape of dental care utilization, patient population demography, scope of practice, delivery models and GDs' evolving role in primary care.

Smoking-cessation e-referrals: a national dental practice-based research network randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Tobacco use is still the leading preventable cause of death and morbidity in the U.S. Web-assisted tobacco interventions are an effective but underutilized tool in assisting smokers with quitting. The dental visit is an excellent opportunity to assist smokers in quitting by referring them to these tobacco-cessation online programs. PURPOSE: The study purpose was to test two patient referral methods-paper referrals (information prescriptions) versus paper plus e-referrals-to a web-assisted smoking-cessation induction system. DESIGN: RCT that used implementation research methods. PARTICIPANTS/SETTING: A total of 100 community-based dental practices were enrolled and 1814 smokers were referred to the web-assisted tobacco induction system. INTERVENTION: The study intervention was a proactive e-referral of smokers to a web-assisted tobacco induction system called Decide2Quit.org, and the control group used paper referrals (information prescriptions) to refer smokers to the Decide2Quit.org. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: The outcome measurements were the referral numbers, Decide2Quit registration numbers, and the smokers' quit rate. Data were collected in 2010-2011 and analyses were completed in 2012. RESULTS: Although total referrals from intervention practices was lower than control, subsequent proportions of registrations among smokers referred to Decide2Quit.org were nearly fourfold higher (adjusted mean percentages: 29.5% vs 7.6%, p<0.01) in intervention compared with control practices. Subsequent rates of cessation among referred smokers were threefold higher (adjusted mean percentages: 3.0% vs 0.8%, p=0.03) in intervention practices as compared with control. CONCLUSIONS: Intervention practices using the e-referral system had higher smoker registration numbers and higher quit smoking rates than the control practices. This study finds that e-referrals are effective in getting smokers to the web-assisted smoking-cessation induction system and in assisting with quitting that more than compensates for any additional effort that e-referrals require on the part of the practitioner. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: DPBRN Hygienists Internet Quality Improvement in Tobacco Cessation (HiQuit); NCT01108432.

Implementing point of care "e-referrals" in 137 clinics to increase access to a quit smoking internet system: the Quit-Primo and National Dental PBRN HI-QUIT Studies.

Integrating electronic referral systems into clinical practices may increase use of web-accessible tobacco interventions. We report on our feasibility evaluation of using theory-driven implementation science techniques to translate an e-referral system (ReferASmoker.org) into the workflow of 137 community-based medical and dental practices, including system use, patient registration, implementation costs, and lessons learned. After 6 months, 2,376 smokers were e-referred (medical, 1,625; dental, 751). Eighty-six percent of the medical practices [75/87, mean referral = 18.7 (SD = 17.9), range 0-105] and dental practices [43/50, mean referral = 15.0 (SD = 10.5), range 0-38] had e-referred. Of those smokers e-referred, 25.3 registered [mean smoker registration rate-medical 4.9 (SD = 7.6, range 0-59), dental 3.6 (SD = 3.0, range 0-10)]. Estimated mean implementation costs are medical practices, US$429.00 (SD = 85.3); and dental practices, US$238.75 (SD = 13.6). High performing practices reported specific strategies to integrate ReferASmoker.org; low performers reported lack of smokers and patient disinterest in the study. Thus, a majority of practices e-referred and 25.3 % of referred smokers registered demonstrating e-referral feasibility. However, further examination of the identified implementation barriers is important as of the estimated 90,000 to 140,000 smokers seen in the 87 medical practices in 6 months, only 1,625 were e-referred.

Crowdsourced peer- versus expert-written smoking-cessation messages.

BACKGROUND: Tailored, web-assisted interventions can reach many smokers. Content from other smokers (peers) through crowdsourcing could enhance relevance. PURPOSE: To evaluate whether peers can generate tailored messages encouraging other smokers to use a web-assisted tobacco intervention (Decide2Quit.org). METHODS: Phase 1: In 2009, smokers wrote messages in response to scenarios for peer advice. These smoker-to-smoker (S2S) messages were coded to identify themes. Phase 2: resulting S2S messages, and comparison expert messages, were then e-mailed to newly registered smokers. In 2012, subsequent Decide2Quit.org visits following S2S or expert-written e-mails were compared. RESULTS: Phase 1: a total of 39 smokers produced 2886 messages (message themes: attitudes and expectations, improvements in quality of life, seeking help, and behavioral strategies). For not-ready-to-quit scenarios, S2S messages focused more on expectations around a quit attempt and how quitting would change an individual's quality of life. In contrast, for ready-to-quit scenarios, S2S messages focused on behavioral strategies for quitting. Phase 2: In multivariable analysis, S2S messages were more likely to generate a return visit (OR=2.03, 95% CI=1.74, 2.35), compared to expert messages. A significant effect modification of this association was found, by time-from-registration and message codes (both interaction terms p<0.01). In stratified analyses, S2S codes that were related more to "social" and "real-life" aspects of smoking were driving the main association of S2S and increased return visits. CONCLUSIONS: S2S peer messages that increased longitudinal engagement in a web-assisted tobacco intervention were successfully collected and delivered. S2S messages expanded beyond the biomedical model to enhance relevance of messages. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study is registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov NCT00797628 (web-delivered provider intervention for tobacco control [QUIT-PRIMO]) and NCT01108432 (DPBRN Hygienists Internet Quality Improvement in Tobacco Cessation [HiQuit]).

Variations in tobacco control in National Dental PBRN practices: the role of patient and practice factors.

We engaged dental practices enrolled in The National Dental Practice-Based Research Network to quantify tobacco screening (ASK) and advising (ADVISE); and to identify patient and practice -characteristics associated with tobacco control. Dental practices (N = 190) distributed patient surveys that measured ASK and ADVISE. Twenty-nine percent of patients were ASKED about tobacco use during visit, 20% were identified as tobacco users, and 41% reported being ADVISED. Accounting for clustering of patients within practices, younger age and male gender were positively associated with ASK and ADVISE. Adjusting for patient age and gender, a higher proportion of non-whites in the practice, preventive services and proportion on public assistance were positively associated with ASK. Proportion of tobacco users in the practice and offering other preventive services were more strongly associated with ASK and ADVISE than other practice characteristics. Understanding variations in performance is an important step toward designing strategies for improving tobacco control in dentistry.

Risk factors for osteonecrosis of the jaws: a case-control study from the CONDOR Dental PBRN.

Case reports and cohort studies have linked bisphosphonate therapy and osteonecrosis of the jaws (ONJ), but neither causality nor specific risks for lesion development have been clearly established. We conducted a 1:3 case-control study with 3 dental practice-based research networks, using dentist questionnaires and patient interviews for collection of data on bisphosphonate therapy, demographics, co-morbidities, and dental and medical treatments. Multivariable logistic regression analyses tested associations between bisphosphonate use and other risk factors with ONJ. We enrolled 191 ONJ cases and 573 controls in 119 dental practices. Bisphosphonate use was strongly associated with ONJ (odds ratios [OR] 299.5 {95% CI 70.0-1282.7} for intravenous [IV] use and OR = 12.2 {4.3-35.0} for oral use). Risk markers included local suppuration (OR = 7.8 {1.8-34.1}), dental extraction (OR = 7.6 {2.4-24.7}), and radiation therapy (OR = 24.1 {4.9-118.4}). When cancer patients (n = 143) were excluded, bisphosphonate use (OR = 7.2 {2.1-24.7}), suppuration (OR = 11.9 {2.0-69.5}), and extractions (OR = 6.6 {1.6-26.6}) remained associated with ONJ. Higher risk of ONJ began within 2 years of bisphosphonate initiation and increased 4-fold after 2 years. Both IV and oral bisphosphonate use were strongly associated with ONJ. Duration of treatment >2 years; suppuration and dental extractions were independent risk factors for ONJ.