Views of xerostomia among health care professionals: a qualitative study.

AIM: To explore and describe views of xerostomia among health care professionals. BACKGROUND: Xerostomia (dry mouth) is caused by changes in quality and quantity of saliva due to poor health, certain drugs and radiation therapy. It is a common symptom, particularly among older people and has devastating consequences with regard to oral health and general well-being. METHODS: Data were obtained and categorised by interviewing 16 health care professionals. Qualitative content analysis was chosen as the method of analysis. DESIGN: Qualitative. RESULTS: The latent content was formulated into a theme: xerostomia is a well-known problem, yet there is inadequate management of patients with xerostomia. The findings identified three categories expressing the manifest content: awareness of xerostomia, indifferent attitude and insufficient support. CONCLUSIONS: Although xerostomia was recognised as commonly occurring, it was considered to be an underestimated and an ignored problem. Proper attention to conditions of xerostomia and subsequent patient management were viewed as fragmentary and inadequate. Additional qualitative studies among patients with xerostomia would be desirable to gain further understanding of the problems with xerostomia, its professional recognition and management. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: A holistic view, positive professional attitudes and enhanced knowledge of xerostomia seem essential to augment collaboration among health care professionals and to improve compassion for and support of patients with xerostomia.

Attitudes to oral health among adolescents with high caries risk.

OBJECTIVE: To explore and describe attitudes to oral health among adolescents with high caries risk. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A strategic selection of 45 subjects (15 to 19 years of age) assessed with high caries risk were invited to participate in the study, and 7 girls and 10 boys gave their informed consent. Semi-structured interviews performed, recorded, and transcribed verbatim were evaluated using qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: Three categories and seven associated subcategories could be determined, and cognitive consistency in parallel with emotional inconsistency in relation to oral health was disclosed. On a cognitive level, attitudes to oral health were characterized by an awareness of the determinants (diet, plaque, fluoride) for caries. Fresh breath and even, white, teeth were considered signs of good oral health. Breath and esthetic appearance were important inducements for home care. Although toothbrushing was considered the most important activity for maintaining good oral health, forgetfulness and lack of time were the main reasons for not brushing. The provision of adequate information on caries risk was perceived as important. On the emotional level, the three subcategories were: (i) a positive attitude to oral health and clear self-confidence that improved health would be achieved, (ii) an impassive attitude that everything would be all right and fixed by the dentist, and (iii) a negative attitude characterized by frustration and a tendency to give up. CONCLUSIONS: Allowing adolescents with high caries risk to relate their views on oral health is important for dental professionals when encouraging patients at caries risk towards healthy behavior.