Development and Evaluation of a Medical Intervention for Early Childhood Caries (IMB-RCT)

Comparador activo: A

Group A practices (n=39) received didactic training and course materials in oral health screening, referral, counseling and application of fluoride varnish.

Conductual: Continuing medical education

Group A practices took part in a 90 minute lecture with slides, case-based presentations and discussions of the clinical interventions, instruction in children's dental development, common dental diseases and prevention, screening, referral, counseling and fluoride varnish application. Group B practices received the same as group A and additionally were offered support through telephone conference calls using "learning collaborative" methods where staff receive ongoing support from CME instructors and learn from one another as they begin to implement systems for preventive care in their practices. The conference calls were moderated by research staff with clinical expertise in primary health care who had assisted in other interventions among NC pediatric and family medicine offices. Group C received the same intervention as Group B and were offered additional in-office support for implementation of preventive dental procedures provided by a dental hygienist.

Comparador activo: B

Group B practices (n=41) received the same as Group A and were offered weekly conference calls providing advice and support.

Conductual: Continuing medical education

Group A practices took part in a 90 minute lecture with slides, case-based presentations and discussions of the clinical interventions, instruction in children's dental development, common dental diseases and prevention, screening, referral, counseling and fluoride varnish application. Group B practices received the same as group A and additionally were offered support through telephone conference calls using "learning collaborative" methods where staff receive ongoing support from CME instructors and learn from one another as they begin to implement systems for preventive care in their practices. The conference calls were moderated by research staff with clinical expertise in primary health care who had assisted in other interventions among NC pediatric and family medicine offices. Group C received the same intervention as Group B and were offered additional in-office support for implementation of preventive dental procedures provided by a dental hygienist.

Comparador activo: C

Group C practices (n=41) received the same as Group B and were also offered in-office follow-up visits providing hands-on advice and support.

Conductual: Continuing medical education

Group A practices took part in a 90 minute lecture with slides, case-based presentations and discussions of the clinical interventions, instruction in children's dental development, common dental diseases and prevention, screening, referral, counseling and fluoride varnish application. Group B practices received the same as group A and additionally were offered support through telephone conference calls using "learning collaborative" methods where staff receive ongoing support from CME instructors and learn from one another as they begin to implement systems for preventive care in their practices. The conference calls were moderated by research staff with clinical expertise in primary health care who had assisted in other interventions among NC pediatric and family medicine offices. Group C received the same intervention as Group B and were offered additional in-office support for implementation of preventive dental procedures provided by a dental hygienist.

Rate of preventive dental services provision per 100 well-child visits.

Percent of practices providing 20 or more preventive dental visits.