Supervised toothbrushing programs in primary schools and early childhood settings: A scoping review.

OBJECTIVE: In this article we report the findings of a scoping review that aimed to identify and summarise the range of programs and guidelines available for toothbrushing programs in schools and early childhood settings. Dental caries is one of the most common preventable diseases affecting children worldwide. Untreated caries can impact on child health and wellbeing, development, socialisation and school attendance. Supervised toothbrushing programs in schools and other early childhood settings can be effective in improving the oral health of young children. There is limited understanding of the salient issues to consider when developing such programs or how they are best implemented in real world settings. METHODS: A scoping review methodology was utilised to provide a summary of the guidelines and programs available. Key search terms were developed, mapped and utilised to identify guidelines and programs across 6 databases and key search engines. RESULTS: We located 26 programs and guidelines that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria for the review. These were collated and summarised across key countries and critical aspects of program development and implementation were identified. Toothbrush type and storage, toothpaste strength and method of dispensing, toothbrush storage, staff training and parental consent are key considerations that varied widely. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: Guidelines for supervised toothbrushing programs vary within and across countries due to differences in water fluoridation and availability of low fluoride toothpastes. The results of this review provide critical information to be considered when establishing and implementing toothbrushing programs in these settings.

Understanding receptivity to informal supportive cancer care in regional and rural Australia: a Heideggerian analysis.

The concept of receptivity is a new way of understanding the personal and social factors that affect a person living with and beyond cancer, and how these factors influence access to formal supportive care service provision and planning. This article contributes to new knowledge through applying the concept of receptivity to informal supportive cancer care in regional Australia. Literature indicates that a cancer diagnosis is a life-changing experience, particularly in regional communities, where survival rates are lower and there are significant barriers to accessing services. Heideggerian phenomenology informed the design of the study and allowed for a rich and nuanced understanding of participants lived experiences of informal supportive cancer care. These experiences were captured using in-depth interviews, which were subsequently thematically analysed. Nineteen participants were recruited from across regional Victoria, Australia. Participants self-reported a range of stages and types of cancer. Significantly, findings revealed that most participants were not referred to, and did not seek, formal supportive care. Instead, they were receptive to informal supportive care. Understanding receptivity and the role of anxiety and fear of death has implications for partners, family, community members, as well as professionals working with people with living with and beyond cancer.

Returning home: psychosocial care during the re-entry phase of cancer survivorship in rural Australia.

The purpose of this research was to highlight gaps in formal psychosocial care for cancer survivors in rural communities. The study was conducted in rural Victoria, Australia, and involved interviews with people with various stages of cancer progression, cancer diagnoses and survival times, who were interviewed about their experiences of psychosocial cancer care. Interviews focused on their experience of psychosocial care and were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were thematically analysed to identify key themes. Findings demonstrate that psychosocial care is essentially informal within the re-entry period after cancer diagnosis and treatment. Despite current Australian clinical guidelines on psychosocial care for people with cancer, which indicate the need for the provision of formal psychosocial care, participants in this study largely cared for themselves, or received informal support from family, friends and community members. Many psychosocial needs remained unmet and professional support was lacking. While this study was conducted in rural Australia, many of our findings have been echoed in studies from other countries. The findings have implications for treatment protocols and discharge planning, health professional-patient-family relationships, and the long-term well-being of cancer survivors living in rural communities. A model for understanding the experience of formal supportive care during the re-entry phase of survivorship is proposed.

Coeliac disease: the path to diagnosis and the reality of living with the disease.

BACKGROUND: Coeliac disease (CD) is an under-diagnosed and often misunderstood disease, yet is one of the most common food intolerance disorders. The only treatment available to prevent the health impacts of CD is a lifelong, strict gluten-free diet (GFD). There are few studies that explore the experiences of diagnosis and the everyday experiences of living with this chronic condition. METHODS: Utilising a qualitative study design, and purposive sampling, the present study describes the experiences of 10 women with coeliac disease in Victoria, Australia. Individual interviews were conducted with women aged between 31 and 60 years who had been diagnosed with CD for at least 2 years. RESULTS: A thematic analysis of the interview transcripts highlighted a number of issues for those living with the disease. Reactions to diagnosis, transition to a GFD and the changes needed to live with CD are discussed. CONCLUSIONS: A range of recommendations including the need to increase CD awareness and education and further research on the impacts of living with the disease are made.

A scoping review of qualitative research in peer-reviewed dental publications.

OBJECTIVES: Qualitative research designs are being used increasingly in dental research. This paper describes the extent and range of dental research in which qualitative methods have been employed as well as the techniques of data collection and analysis preferred by dental researchers. METHODS: A scoping review was conducted to locate studies published in dental journals, which reported the use of qualitative methods. Data concerning the focus of the research and the reported qualitative techniques were extracted. RESULTS: Studies included in the review totalled 197. The majority of qualitative research captured in this scoping study focussed on three main areas: dental education, professional dental and dental educators' activities and experiences and the patient/public perceptions. Interviews and focus group discussions were the most commonly selected techniques for data collection. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of the studies included in the scoping review had a focus on education of dental professionals the activities of dental professionals or the reported perceptions of or experiences with dental services by patients or members of the public. Little research was located, which explored peoples' personal experience of dental conditions. Research reported in dental publications has a heavy bias towards the use of focus groups and interview data collection techniques.