THE EXPERIENCES AND CHALLENGES IN REFERRING AND MANAGING PATIENTS IN SPECIALIST PREVENTIVE DENTAL CLINIC IN ALOR SETAR, KEDAH, MALAYSIA

Received 2024-02-19; Accepted 2024-03-26; Published 2024-03-27

Abstract

The establishment of a preventive dental clinic in Alor Setar, Kedah, managed by dental public health (DPH) specialists, by the Oral Health Programme, was due to positive findings in the National Oral Health Survey for Adults 2010. The clinic focuses on improving oral health status in Malaysia by targeting high-risk individuals. Since its inception, no assessments have been conducted. This study explored the perception of dental personnel with experience managing the preventive clinic in Alor Setar, Kedah. It also explored the perception of dental personnel with and without experience in referring cases to the clinic. Twenty-three dental personnel working in government dental clinics in Alor Setar, Kedah, and 11 dental personnel managing the clinic were interviewed face-to-face or via phone based on their preferences. The in-depth interviews were conducted using validated semi-structured questionnaires with domain patient management, resources, training, and suggestions. The sessions were digitally recorded before transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically using NVivo software. Eight dental personnel interviewed had experienced referring cases, while 15 admitted not referring due to their poor understanding of the referral criteria and patients' refusal. Identified cases referred include quit smoking and poor oral hygiene cases. Patient's willingness to change and unmanageable cases emerged as factors influencing referral. Clinicians referring cases admit that the preventive clinic improves patient management. The managers, consisting of dentists, DPH specialists, and dental surgery assistants, identified low attendance, lack of referrals, and unfollowed cases as the clinic's challenges. Improvement in oral hygiene and motivation was observed in some patients. Despite the difficulties and barriers encountered in managing and referring patients, there were beneficial improvements observed in patients' oral health habits.