title: Challenges of and strategies for changing prescribing practices of health care providers.
abstract: Problems related to inappropriate prescribing practices of physicians in general are well recognized. Dietary fluoride supplements have been implicated as one of the contributing factors in an increase in dental fluorosis. Inappropriate prescribing practices of providers have been cited as a major factor in this implication. Numerous studies of physicians and dentists have documented a lack of knowledge and inappropriate prescribing practices regarding fluoride supplements. The purpose of this paper is to identify barriers to changing fluoride-prescribing practices of health care providers and to suggest strategies for implementing change. To increase optimal and appropriate use of fluoride supplements, educational interventions are necessary for all user groups--detail men and women, physicians, dentists, pharmacists, nurse practitioners, dental hygienists, and the public. In addition, environmental supports for the educational activities in the form of policy, regulation, standards of care, and guidelines are recommended for consideration.
authors.affiliation: Office of Science Policy and Analysis, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-6401, USA. alice.horowitz@nih.gov
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Horowitz
mesh_terms: D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D011307:Drug Prescriptions; D004497:Education, Dental; D004501:Education, Medical; D005260:Female; D005459:Fluorides / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006266:Health Education; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D019239:Practice Patterns, Dentists'; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'
chemical_list: D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D005459:Fluorides