A framework for implementing sustainable oral health promotion interventions

Area of Science:

• Oral Health Research
• Behavioral Interventions
• Implementation Science

Background:

• Implementing sustainable oral health interventions requires understanding procedural concepts.
• Existing research lacks comprehensive models for intervention implementation and sustainability.
• Organizational and contextual factors significantly impact intervention success.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a comprehensive model for implementing sustainable oral health behavioral and social interventions.
• To identify core components, stages, and sustaining influences for effective intervention implementation.
• To provide assessment tools and research strategies for evaluating interventions in diverse healthcare settings.

Main Methods:

• Development of a four-stage implementation model (training, adoption, implementation, practice).
• Inclusion of sustaining influences (preparation, maintenance) to address barriers.
• Illustration of assessment tools and research strategies using examples from addiction and mental health treatment systems.

Main Results:

• The proposed model systematically addresses common barriers to innovation success and permanence.
• Measurement and impact of organizational and contextual influences are detailed across implementation stages.
• Recommended tools and strategies are applicable to various oral health care delivery systems.

Conclusions:

• The four-stage model provides a framework for effective and sustainable oral health intervention implementation.
• Understanding organizational and contextual factors is crucial for successful intervention adoption and practice.
• The presented tools and strategies can enhance oral health interventions research and practice, including within the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research Practice-Based Research Networks.