Application of the PRECEDE-PROCEED Planning Model in Designing an Oral Health Strategy.

Background: Although the poor oral health of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) constitutes a significant health disparity in the United States, few interventions to date have produced lasting results. Moreover, there is minimal application of planning models to inform and design a theory-based strategy that has the potential to be effective and sustainable in this population.

Methods: The PRECEDE-PROCEED planning model is being used to design and evaluate an oral health strategy for adults with IDD.

Improving the oral health of residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities: an oral health strategy and pilot study.

This article presents an oral health (OH) strategy and pilot study focusing on individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD) living in group homes. The strategy consists of four components: (1) planned action in the form of the behavioral contract and caregiver OH action planning; (2) capacity building through didactic and observation learning training; (3) environmental adaptations consisting of additional oral heath devices and strategies to create a calm atmosphere; and (4) reinforcement by post-training coaching. A pilot study was conducted consisting of pre- and post-assessment data collected 1 week before and 1 week after implementing a 1-month OH strategy.

Modest reduction in risk for ventilator-associated pneumonia in critically ill patients receiving mechanical ventilation following topical oral chlorhexidine.

Subjects: The sample (N = 547) included patients older than 18 years (328 men and 219 women from a total population of 10,913) admitted to 3 intensive care units (ICUs) (medical, surgical/trauma, and neuroscience) at Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center. The sample size required to detect an interaction (ie, the effect of chlorhexidine and toothbrushing in combination) was determined to be larger than that required to detect main effects (ie, chlorhexidine alone or toothbrushing alone) for a test at a given level of significance. The study was designed to detect an interactive effect resulting in a 0.

Childhood caries in the state of Kentucky, USA: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Untreated dental caries afflicts almost one third of school-aged children in the United States and many of them are from disadvantaged families. This cross-sectional study was undertaken to investigate the prevalence of untreated caries in north central Kentucky, USA and to examine the relationships between the available demographic variables and untreated childhood caries as reported on the forms from the Smile Kentucky! program.

Methods: During the fall of 2008, caries status was assessed during the visual oral screening examination component of "SmileKentucky!"- a model of the American Dental Association's Give Kids A Smile program.

Increasing dental care utilization by Medicaid-eligible children: a dental care coordinator intervention.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a dental care coordinator intervention on increasing dental utilization by Medicaid-eligible children compared with a control group.

Methods: One hundred and thirty-six children enrolled in Medicaid aged 4 to 15 years at baseline in 2004 who had not had Medicaid claims for 2 years, were randomly assigned to intervention or control groups for 12 months. Children and caregivers in the intervention group received education, assistance in finding a dentist if the child did not have one, and assistance and support in scheduling and keeping dental appointments.

Oral microbial and respiratory status of persons with mental retardation/intellectual and developmental disability: an observational cohort study.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of select microorganisms in oral biofilms and to investigate relationships between oral and respiratory status in persons with mental retardation/intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

Study Design: We conducted a 6-month-long observational cohort study with 63 persons with IDD. Oral examinations, oral sampling, and medical record reviews were performed at baseline and then monthly.

Genetic variations associated with red hair color and fear of dental pain, anxiety regarding dental care and avoidance of dental care.

Background: Red hair color is caused by variants of the melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) gene. People with naturally red hair are resistant to subcutaneous local anesthetics and, therefore, may experience increased anxiety regarding dental care. The authors tested the hypothesis that having natural red hair color, a MC1R gene variant or both could predict a patient's experiencing dental care-related anxiety and dental care avoidance.

Helicobacter pylori infection in people who are intellectually and developmentally disabled: a review.

The Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacterium has been classified by the World Health Organization as a type 1 carcinogen with associations to the development of peptic and gastric ulcers, gastric carcinoma and primary B-cell lymphoma. Individuals who have intellectual disabilities and developmental disabilities (IDDD) exhibit H.

Barriers to care-seeking for children's oral health among low-income caregivers.

Objectives: We identified psychosocial, structural, and cultural barriers to seeking dental care among nonutilizing caregivers of Medicaid-enrolled children.

Methods: We used Medicaid utilization records to identify utilizing and nonutilizing African American and White caregivers of Medicaid-enrolled children in Jefferson County, Kentucky. We conducted 8 focus groups (N=76) with a stratified random sample of responding caregivers; transcripts were qualitatively analyzed.

Factors affecting quality of oral care in intensive care units.

Aims: This paper presents a study to assess to nurses' attitudes and practices concerning oral care and to determine predictors of the quality of oral care in intensive care units.

Background: The oropharynx of critically ill patients becomes colonized with potential respiratory pathogens; oral care has been shown to reduce oropharyngeal bacteria and ventilator-associated pneumonia.

Methods: In April 2002, a random and national sample of 420 intensive care unit directors was asked to participate in the survey.