The Role of the Dental Hygienist in Implementing Fluoride Varnish Application in Pediatric Medical Offices in the Community of Baton Rouge, Louisiana

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The Role of the Dental Hygienist

In 1998, the Medical Assistance Administration (MAA) in Washington state started reimbursing prime care physicians (PCPs) $18.18 per visit to request fluoride varnish up to 3 times per year in young children junior than 19 years. With later allowance slashes, reimbursement was decreased to $13.39/visit. PCPs can account Medicaid for fluoride varnish submission on a fee-for-service cornerstone even for Medicaid-managed care enrollees. (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2000)

Washington was 1 of the first states to reimburse physicians for fluoride varnish application. During the past 6 years, this scheme of engaging pediatric health providers in oral wellbeing care has amplified to not less than 5 other states. Despite this, little is renowned about physicians' know-how with fluoride varnish or about the components affiliated with diffusion of fluoride varnish into PCPs offices. To address this, we presented a qualitative study of 12 pediatric, doctor practitioner, and family surgery practices in Washington that underwent fluoride varnish training.

This study task was accepted by the University of Washington Human Subjects' Division. In 1998, all providers with a Medicaid provider number were dispatched a note announcing them of this new fluoride varnish program. Those who were involved could demand a 1-hour on-site teaching meeting that enclosed fluoride varnish submission, journal documentation, and billing procedures. Additional data was supplied on identification of caries, oral wellbeing anticipatory guidance for families, and the significance of expert dental care referrals. Two major assemblies supplied training: the University of Washington School of Dentistry in conjunction with MAA (UW/MAA) and the Spokane Regional Health District. The UW/MAA teaching supplied for hands-on perform applying fluoride varnish to young children of diverse ages, while the Spokane Regional Health District had their teacher illustrate fluoride varnish submission utilising 1 child. (Siegel , 1982)

We communicated the 12 community-based health practices, established all through Washington, who underwent oral wellbeing and fluoride varnish teaching in 1 of the overhead capabilities in the years 2000-2001. After the study was clarified, all 12 agencies acquiesced to take part and a location visit was arranged. Sites comprised of 8 pediatric practices; 2 Indian wellbeing clinics operated by pediatricians, family physicians, and doctor practitioners; 1 doctor practitioner practice; and 1 blended pediatric and family surgery group. The percentage of Medicaid patients inside the perform diverse from 15% to 100%. Eight practices were established in little or intermediate urban/suburban localities, and 5 were established in country communities. The diverse backgrounds and knowledge permitted evaluation of components that influenced fluoride varnish adoption. (Gelbier, 2005)

There was an Access to Infant and Childhood Dentistry (ABCD) program in shires where 8 of the practices were located. ABCD is a county-level program conceived as a joint project amidst the University of Washington School of Dentistry, the Washington Dental Service Foundation, the MAA, the shire public wellbeing department, and a localized dental society. The program presents teaching and amplified reimbursement to dentists ...