Non-invasive Caries Management: Perspectives of Private Practice Patients

Objective: To better understand the process by which patients adopt an evidence-based non-invasive approach to caries management.

Methods: This qualitative study drew on an established systematic methodology, grounded theory procedures. The final sample will include staff and patients from four practices which have implemented the CMS. This poster describes analysis of data from the first practice sampled. Eleven purposively sampled patients provided a detailed explanation of their experience.

Results: Patients described the process of participating in the MPP as follows. Before the program, they were trapped in a situation where their teeth were degenerating. The CMS was offered. Despite their scepticism, there were enough drivers of change to lead them to participate in the MPP (patients explained these drivers in detail). A three-fold process of change was then initiated: understanding new knowledge, developing a new dentist/patient relationship, and establishing new practices. This led to a fundamental lifestyle change with four types of outcomes: financial, psychosocial, biological and habitual. Patients clearly distinguished ‘old-school' (surgical) from ‘new-school' (preventive) dentists.

Conclusion: These participants said the financial, psychosocial, biological and habitual outcomes of the MPP reinforced their continuing loyalty to both the preventive program and to their ‘new–school' dentist and their distinct dental practice. We conclude that a well executed evidence-based preventive approach can become self-reinforcing for patients, and offers benefits to both patients and dentists.

Acknowledgement: Oral Health Foundation, University of Sydney