To assess whether the protocol followed in the clinical module of a dry mouth education program for General Medical Practitioners (GMPs) would be acceptable for widespread implementation as an oral health intervention in general medical practice.
Method:
Twelve GMPs (4f,8m) participated in a preventive intervention for older patients with polypharmacy and hence at high risk of having dry mouth. GMPs first completed an education program and then screened patients attending for routine medical appointments over a two-day period to identify at-risk patients (≥55years and taking ≥3 xerogenic medications). GMPs used a short, simple questionnaire with these patients to determine their dry mouth status. Patients identified as having dry mouth were advised regarding the risks and management of their condition, given specially designed dry mouth factsheets and offered a referral to a dentist. GMPs were also asked to consider modification of drug regimen if feasible/appropriate. Questionnaires were used to evaluate GMPs acceptability of the intervention.
Result:
GMPs used the intervention with 210 patients, with 45% receiving a dry mouth diagnosis. No negative feedback (i.e. disagree/strongly disagree responses) was received from GMPs involved in the intervention. All agreed (i.e. strongly agree/agree responses) that the factsheets were useful, 11/12 agreed that the intervention promoted better management of dry mouth patients, 10/12 agreed that the intervention was effective at targeting at-risk patients, was simple to implement, did not take too much time and that they would continue using the intervention. 9/12 agreed that the intervention promoted better communication with dentists (all other responses were neutral).
Conclusion:
The PREVENT study successfully implemented a simple, generalisable model which was very well received by GMPs and empowered them to identify patients at risk of dry mouth, diagnose dry mouth and implement a dry mouth management intervention that included improved communication between GMPs and dentists.