Assessment of New York Primary Care Physicians' Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Related to Fluoride Varnish in an...

To determine changes in knowledge, attitudes, and practices of primary care physicians (PCPs) regarding fluoride varnish (FV).

Fifty-four PCPs at an urban medical center in New York completed a pre-intervention survey. A pediatric dental resident provided an hour-long educational lecture and a hands-on demonstration regarding FV application. Six months later, PCPs were sent a post-intervention survey via electronic mail.

Fifty-four PCPs participated in the pre-survey and FV training and 48% completed the post-survey. Prior to the FV training, 57% of PCPs knew that FV application by medical practitioners was reimbursable for children under 6-years-old and 2% of PCPs were applying FV. Post FV training, 62% of PCPs reported applying FV. Pre and post survey, barriers to FV application was not enough hands-on training (43% to 15% respectively) and not enough time (50% to 85% respectively).

Post FV training, PCPs' knowledge, attitudes and practices in regard to FV changed. Interprofessional education may be one approach to increasing FV application participation.