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BMC Oral Health
Published in: BMC Oral Health 1/2020

Open Access 01-12-2020 | Care | Research article

Dental care for drug users in Norway: dental professionals’ attitudes to treatment and experiences with interprofessional collaboration

Authors: Ewa S. Hovden, Vibeke E. Ansteinsson, Ingrid Volden Klepaker, Eeva Widström, Rasa Skudutyte-Rysstad

Published in: BMC Oral Health | Issue 1/2020

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Abstract

Background

The present study aimed to assess dental professionals’ attitudes and experiences related to the dental treatment of drug users and to interprofessional collaboration with the rehabilitation institutions (RIs).

Methods

The study population comprised 141 dentists and dental hygienists (response rate 73%) working in the Public Dental Service (PDS) in three counties in Norway. All of the participants completed an electronically distributed questionnaire on existing practices and experiences regarding dental treatment for drug users and interprofessional collaboration with RIs. The Norwegian Centre for Research Data (NSD) approved the study.

Results

Thirty-five percent of the dentists and 10% of the dental hygienists had treated five or more drug users per month (p <  0.05). The majority of dentists and dental hygienists used more time for examination and treatment of drug users compared to other patient groups. Over 70% of dental clinicians considered drug users as demanding patients due to fear, missing appointments, and poor compliance with oral hygiene advice. Multivariable logistic regression analyses showed that attitudes and experiences with dental treatment of drug users were significantly associated with background characteristics of professionals. The overall perception was that drug users often had higher expectations of dental treatment than what could be defined as necessary care and provided by the PDS. One-third of dental professionals reported that they were satisfied with the collaboration they had with RIs. Most of the respondents agreed that personnel from RIs could positively influence interprofessional collaboration by having sufficient knowledge of drug users statutory rights to free of charge dental treatment, as well as by close follow-up and motivation of patients before dental treatment.

Conclusions

Dental professionals perceived the management of drug users as demanding due to dental fear, difficulties in coping with appointments, poor compliance to preventive measures, and disagreement between dental treatment defined as necessary and drug users’ expectations. Attitudes and experiences related to dental treatment of drug users were significantly associated with background characteristics of clinicians. Organizational barriers regarding leadership, accessibility, and collaborative routines, as well as lack of interprofessional communication, suggest current models of health care delivery to drug users need reviewing.
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Metadata
Title
Dental care for drug users in Norway: dental professionals’ attitudes to treatment and experiences with interprofessional collaboration
Authors
Ewa S. Hovden
Vibeke E. Ansteinsson
Ingrid Volden Klepaker
Eeva Widström
Rasa Skudutyte-Rysstad
Publication date
01-12-2020
Publisher
BioMed Central
Keyword
Care
Published in
BMC Oral Health / Issue 1/2020
Electronic ISSN: 1472-6831
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-020-01240-1

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