Patient Experiences of Medical Screening Performed by the Dental Services: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Objective: To explore how medical screening performed by the dental service was perceived from the patient's perspective. Material and methods: Medical screening for high blood pressure and high plasma glucose was performed on 170 patients at a dental clinic in a small town in central Sweden. Seventeen individual interviews were conducted with a strategic sampling of these patients. The interviews were recorded and transcribed. The transcriptions were coded and categorized in a manifest analysis, followed by a latent, interpretive analysis. Results: The manifest analysis resulted in three categories: Positive attitude to screening and dental professionals which need to have specific knowledge of medical screening; Dental care which provides continuity but is not a neutral environment; and Feedback on the medical screening results and desired cooperation between dental and health care services. The latent analysis pointed out the importance of the patient's feeling that the procedure is carried out properly and safely, and requests for clear feedback concerning the results of the screening. Conclusions: The interviewees experienced the dental care service as providing continuity. They would like to have regular medical screenings at their regular dental appointments to identify risks of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. However, they expressed that it was important for the dental care staff to have the necessary medical knowledge. They also wanted good cooperations between the dental and health care services, with clear feedback to the patients about both positive and negative results and, when appropriate, referrals to the health care service.

The outcome of two-step blood pressure screening in dental healthcare

“…This is an interesting result from a screening perspective because Swedish primary care, relative to care in comparable countries, has historically accounted for a smaller share of the overall healthcare and because approximately 75% of the Swedish population regularly visit the dentist [5]. Moreover, it has emerged that dental care visitors are in favour of medical screening at their dental visit [24]. We find that this two-step method for screening in a population can be useful in other kinds of services as well.…”

Individuals’ Experiences of Being Screened for Hypertension in Dental Health Care – “No Big Deal”

“…As previously pointed out, the screening can result in false positive results, called White coat hypertension [15,16]. This phenomenon can lead to unnecessary meetings, overcrowding in health care and some patients experiencing needless concern about their health [17]. However, despite their fear of dentists, it emerged that the participants found it positive to have their BP checked during the dental visit.…”

“…The aim of BP screening in dental care is to identify patients at risk, not to make medical diagnoses. Therefore, it is essential to have well-established cooperation with primary healthcare for optimal management of opportunistic medical screening [17].…”

Public Attitudes Toward Chairside Screening for Medical Conditions in Dental Settings

“…13 , 15 , 21–23 In a qualitative study, patients who underwent chairside screening requested regular screening in the dental clinic. 23 However, most of these studies investigated chronic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. There have been few studies in the reviewed English literature that has examined attitudes toward screening for other common diseases, and none were conducted in Saudi, this is the first such study in Saudi Arabia assessing public attitudes.…”