Background:
Many hemophilia treatment centers (HTCs) have a comprehensive care clinic in which a variety of providers see patients with bleeding disorders. Registered dental hygienists (RDHs) are, in some cases, a part of the comprehensive care clinic due to an access to dental care issue for those with bleeding disorders. The RDH may educate patients with bleeding disorders about oral health and act as a liaison between the patients’ hematologist and dentist.
Objective:
To determine if HTC nurses who work with RDHs are more confident in addressing patients’ oral health than nurses who do not. Methods: HTC nurses in the United States were sent a 10-item survey to evaluate presence of a RDH within the HTC, oral health related services provided to patients, and level of confidence and knowledge in discussing oral health with patients. IRB approval was obtained prior to data collection.
Results:
Response rate=49.7%. 45% of nurses that responded stated their HTC employs a RDH (n=31). There were not statistically significant differences in confidence levels between nurses working with a RDH versus those that do not. Data revealed that RDHs help patients find access to dental care, educate patients on oral health, and act as a liaison between the hematologist and the patient’s dentist. 19.4% of nurses that do not have a RDH do not help patients find access to dental care. Nurses that worked more often were more likely to help patients find access to dental care (p=0.01) and more confident in the relationship between oral health and bleeding disorders (p=0.001) and in discussing oral health with patients (p=0.002).
Conclusions:
Although there were no statistically significant differences in the two groups of nurses when measuring confidence, knowledge, and services provided, the study shed light into what services RDHs are providing within the comprehensive care setting. Due to the many complications patients with bleeding disorders can face during treatment, it would be beneficial to have a specialized oral health care provider incorporated into the HTC team to educate patients on preventing oral disease. This model of an RDH as a part of the comprehensive care clinic could translate into additional career opportunities for the RDH.