Referral of pregnant women to dentists and advice for dental visit by medical nurses
- Author:
Suzana Sharif
;
Norkhafizah Saddki
;
Azizah Yusoff
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Prenatal care;
antenatal care;
nurse;
referral and consultation;
dental care
- From:
The Medical Journal of Malaysia
2016;71(5):250-255
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Objective: Dental attendance among pregnant women has
been low although they frequently experience oral health
problems. Nurses who provide antenatal health care are well
positioned to advise and refer their pregnant patients to
dentists. this study aimed to assess the practices of
medical nurses regarding advice for dental visits and
referral of their pregnant patients to dentists.
Methods: A total of 202 medical nurses who provide
antenatal health care at Ministry of Health facilities in the
district of Kota bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia were included in
this cross-sectional study. A structured self-administered
questionnaire was used to obtain information on variables
of interest.
Results: Most nurses frequently advised (90.6%) and
referred (91.1%) their pregnant patients to dentists, although
some (9.4%) advised their patients to defer dental visits until
after parturition. Multivariable analysis indicated that
individuals who worked as nurses for 10 years or fewer and
had their own dental visits within the past year were more
likely to advise their patients to see dentists with adjusted
OR of 3.98 (95% cI=1.37-11.54) and 2.58 (95% cI=0.99-6.70)
respectively. Nurses who visited dentists within the past
year were also more likely to make dental referrals (OR=3.46,
95% cI=1.32-9.10).
conclusions: Most nurses routinely advise and refer their
pregnant patients for dental visits. the time since a nurse’s
last personal dental visit was associated with their advice
and referral of patients to dentists, and duration
employment as a nurse was associated with advising
patients for dental visits.
- Full text:P020170208340851484297.pdf
