Journal article
Management of Head Lice in Dental Offices: A Call for Updated Policies
Journal of dentistry for children (Chicago, Ill.), Vol.88(2), pp.108-113
05/15/2021
PMID: 34321142
Abstract
Purpose: To compare knowledge, policy, and management regarding patients with suspected head lice between general dentists (GPs) working at Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and pediatric dentists (PDs).
Methods: A 14-item survey was emailed to 340 active
dentists in Iowa, Missouri, and Kansas. Statistical analysis consisted of bivariate and multiple logistical regression analysis (alpha = 0.05).
Results: The response rate was 20.0 percent, comprising 27 GPs, 39 PDs, and one other specialist. Among the respondents, 23.9 percent
were familiar with the American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines on head lice and 27.0 percent had a policy about patients with head lice in their practice. PDs were more likely to be familiar with the AAP guidelines on head lice (P =0.001), have received training on head lice (P
=0.032), and feel comfortable identifying head lice in patients (P =0.015). PDs were also more likely to proceed with dental treatment if suspecting a patient had active head lice (odds ratio 4.27; 95 percent confidence interval = 1.19 to 84.59; P =0.002).
Conclusion:
PDs are more willing to treat patients with suspected head lice and to personally discuss the topic with parents. Neither group universally followed current guidelines in working with children with head lice.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Management of Head Lice in Dental Offices: A Call for Updated Policies
- Creators
- Kecia LearyElizabeth Hechler - Dr. Hechler is a pediatric dentist in private practice, Olathe, Kansas, USAFang Qian - University of IowaKarin Weber-Gasparoni - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Journal of dentistry for children (Chicago, Ill.), Vol.88(2), pp.108-113
- Publisher
- American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
- PMID
- 34321142
- ISSN
- 1551-8949
- eISSN
- 1935-5068
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 05/15/2021
- Academic Unit
- Preventive and Community Dentistry; Pediatric Dentistry; Dental Research
- Record Identifier
- 9984367646302771
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