Table 5 Pediatric dental provider post-implementation survey for screening parents/guardians of pediatric patients for social determinants of health (SDOH) needs using the Parent Adversity Scale (n = 13)
Item | Response = n (%) | Illustrative quotation of dental provider perceptions |
|---|---|---|
How comfortable feel asking patients to complete the screening questionnaire | Moderately knowledgeable = 6 (46.2) | I didn’t know how to word things because it is out of my comfort zone |
Comfortable = 7 (53.8) | My experience has been good because the parents were receptive to filling it out and they had some understanding of why the survey was being conducted so they were generally receptive | |
Need more training in SDOH and screening for patient needs? | Yes = 8 (61.5) | Yes, definitely. The patients coming to us by default need help so learning more would benefit us as providers |
No = 5 (38.5) | No, because I think it all deals with sensitivity. As a pediatric dentist, you need to be compassionate and not judgmental | |
Will this screening questionnaire benefit our patients? | Yes = 13 (100.0) | Yes, I feel like without something like this, we don’t understand why they might be cancelling an appointment or then the families aren’t aware of free resources that are available |
How competent feel discussing challenges faced by pediatric dental patient families | Minimally comfortable = 7 (53.8) | Minimally comfortable, because it is such a sensitive topic. I’m very private about money, and I think that these questions all come back to money |
Moderately knowledgeable = 2 (15.4) | Moderately knowledgeable. I think being used to the verbiage of the questions would be beneficial since these are hard topics | |
Competent = 4 (30.8) | I feel competent. I had a patient discuss domestic abuse with me because I was joking with their child and the mother opened up to me. I would feel obligated and comfortable to discuss these issues with families | |
How competent feel referring patients to available resources in the community | Minimally comfortable = 7 (53.8) | Minimally comfortable. I don’t feel very comfortable talking to them about it before. It’s kind of awaked me because we haven’t been trained to talk to them about stuff like that. It would be nice to get training on how to talk, especially if we are going to be offering help |
Moderately knowledgeable = 2 (15.4) | Moderately knowledgeable. I would like to understand how the referral process works because I’m unsure. I would also feel more competent if I followed up with the parents, and they explained to me the process they went through. It would make me feel more experienced | |
Competent = 4 (30.8) | Competent. I’m sensitive to everyone’s needs. As a practitioner, listen to your patient. That’s why when you listen, these patients will volunteer information to you. I would like to see continuity |