ABSTRACT
Objectives@#This study aims to understand the perceptions regarding preventive dental services among dental professionals. @*Methods@#In-depth interviews were conducted with three groups of dental professionals―dentists, dental hygienists, and dental hygienists that specialized in preventive service―who were selected using a convenience sampling method. @*Results@#First, there was limited awareness among dentists regarding the need for preventive care, because of the treatment-oriented philosophy and scarcity of preventive care success models. Second, dental hygienists commented that there was a lack of the person in charge and systematic process for preventive services. It would not help when they decided to change working place even though they had high anxiety working for preventive care. However, both these professionals agreed that preventive treatment is important as the core of care and that it was important to develop various improvement methods to promote preventive services. @*Conclusions@#To activate preventive services in dental clinics, it is essential to improve the operating system and encourage dental professionals to realize the importance of preventive services.
ABSTRACT
Objectives@#This study aimed to evaluate the registered dentists’ program, from the dentist’s perspective, before its nationwide implementation. @*Methods@#In-depth interviews were conducted with 18 dentists who had participated in the registered dentists’ program in G Province. A questionnaire was prepared based on previous research. The data were collected by transcription of interview recordings. Qualitative research methodology was implemented and the data were coded according to the grounded theory. A paradigm model was presented and the core categories were indicated. @*Results@#The findings were organized into 6 categories, 25 subcategories, and 315 codes, based on open coding of the first categorization of collected data. The central phenomenon was found to be the experience of dissatisfaction with the program. The causal conditions were shown as problems of the program, while contextual and intervening conditions were shown as passive participation of dentists and positive effects of the program, respectively. The action/interaction strategies were summarized as an improvement plan and the consequence was an increased intention to participate. @*Conclusions@#The study proposes the need to strengthen primary dental care through this registered dentists’ program, by performing continuous evaluations. The standards and guidelines, cooperation of participants, and appropriate compensation should be considered to promote successful implementation.
ABSTRACT
Objectives@#This study aimed to evaluate the registered dentists’ program, from the dentist’s perspective, before its nationwide implementation. @*Methods@#In-depth interviews were conducted with 18 dentists who had participated in the registered dentists’ program in G Province. A questionnaire was prepared based on previous research. The data were collected by transcription of interview recordings. Qualitative research methodology was implemented and the data were coded according to the grounded theory. A paradigm model was presented and the core categories were indicated. @*Results@#The findings were organized into 6 categories, 25 subcategories, and 315 codes, based on open coding of the first categorization of collected data. The central phenomenon was found to be the experience of dissatisfaction with the program. The causal conditions were shown as problems of the program, while contextual and intervening conditions were shown as passive participation of dentists and positive effects of the program, respectively. The action/interaction strategies were summarized as an improvement plan and the consequence was an increased intention to participate. @*Conclusions@#The study proposes the need to strengthen primary dental care through this registered dentists’ program, by performing continuous evaluations. The standards and guidelines, cooperation of participants, and appropriate compensation should be considered to promote successful implementation.