Oral Health Knowledge and Practices of Pediatric and Family Nurse Practitioners

Abstract

Introduction: The purpose of the study was to assess the relationship between oral health educational activities of NPs and their current oral health knowledge and practices.

Method: An online survey was distributed to practicing NPs and members of the NAPNAP organization.

Results: The study results from n = 147 NPs indicated an association between oral health CE attendance and knowledge on the age to initiate fluoride toothpaste, age for an initial dental visit, as well as NPs comfort in educating about oral hygiene, diets to reduce caries, bacterial transmission and caries development, in addition to the NPs comfort in performing a risk assessment, oral exam, and identifying decay and other oral pathology compared to NPs that had not attended a CE course.

Discussion: The study findings demonstrate the importance of CE courses for NPs on the latest oral health guidelines and practices beyond their traditional academic education, in order to improve oral health outcomes among children.

Keywords: Oral health; education; nurse practitioner; pediatrics.