Ciesla David, Kerins Carolyn A, Seale N Sue, Casamassimo Paul S
US Army, Baumholder, Germany.
Pediatr Dent. 2011 Mar-Apr;33(2):100-6.
This study's purpose was to describe the workforce, patient, and service characteristics of dental clinics affiliated with US children's hospitals belonging to the National Association of Children's Hospital and Related Institutions (NACHRI).
A 2-stage survey mechanism using ad hoc questionnaires sought responses from hospital administrators and dental clinic administrators. Questionnaires asked about: (1) clinic purpose; (2) workforce; (3) patient population; (4) dental services provided; (5) community professional relations; and (5) relationships with medical services.
Of the 222 NACHRI-affiliated hospitals, 87 reported comprehensive dental clinics (CDCs) and 64 (74%) of CDCs provided data. Provision of tertiary medical services was significantly related to presence of a CDC. Most CDCs were clustered east of the Mississippi River. Size, workload, and patient characteristics were variable across CDCs. Most were not profitable. Medical diagnosis was the primary criterion for eligibility, with all but 1 clinic treating special needs children. Most clinics (74%) had dental residencies. Over 75% reported providing dental care prior to major medical care (cardiac, oncology, transplantation), but follow-up care was variable.
Many children's hospitals reported comprehensive dental clinics, but the characteristics were highly variable, suggesting this element of the pediatric oral health care safety net may be fragile.
本研究旨在描述隶属于美国国家儿童医院及相关机构协会（NACHRI）的儿童医院附属牙科诊所的工作人员、患者及服务特征。
采用临时问卷的两阶段调查机制，向医院管理人员和牙科诊所管理人员寻求答复。问卷询问了以下方面：（1）诊所目的；（2）工作人员；（3）患者群体；（4）提供的牙科服务；（5）社区专业关系；以及（5）与医疗服务的关系。
在222家隶属于NACHRI的医院中，87家报告设有综合牙科诊所（CDC），其中64家（74%）的CDC提供了数据。提供三级医疗服务与CDC的存在显著相关。大多数CDC集中在密西西比河以东。各CDC的规模、工作量和患者特征各不相同。大多数CDC没有盈利。医疗诊断是资格的主要标准，除1家诊所外，所有诊所都治疗有特殊需求的儿童。大多数诊所（74%）设有牙科住院医师培训项目。超过75%的诊所报告在主要医疗护理（心脏、肿瘤、移植）之前提供牙科护理，但后续护理情况各不相同。
许多儿童医院报告设有综合牙科诊所，但特征差异很大，表明儿科口腔卫生保健安全网的这一要素可能很脆弱。
