Presentation Category
Research, Other
Introduction/Context/Diagnosis
Estimate the patient participation in decisions commonly arising in scaling and root planing as functions of the professionals’ preferences of dental hygienists, typical situations in this procedure, common approaches to patient interaction, and the interaction of these factors.
Methods/Treatment Plan
Survey of graduates and students and students in a baccalaureate dental hygiene program.
Results/Outcome
Paternalism (tell and do) and informed consent (give choices and reasons and ask for permission) were more common than shared decision making (discuss alternatives, solicit patient input, and arrive at a mutual decision) and declining (patient declines or avoids further involvement) across selecting treatment, procedural options, financial arrangements, and homecare follow-up. Dental hygienists exhibited a wide range of personal approaches and use of shared decision making decreases with length of practice.
Significance/Conclusions
Attempts should be made to determine whether the degree of patient participation in decisions regarding their treatment affect oral health outcomes, especially through seeking care in the first place and following recommendations for behavior outside the office. Factors of office procedures and policy may account for so-far unexplained variation in patient participation.
Format
Event
Shared Decision Making in Scaling and Root Planing
Estimate the patient participation in decisions commonly arising in scaling and root planing as functions of the professionals’ preferences of dental hygienists, typical situations in this procedure, common approaches to patient interaction, and the interaction of these factors.
