On adding a dental practice component to an ongoing longitudinal population-based study of oral health.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the feasibility and effectiveness of adding a dental practice component to the Florida Dental Care Study (FDCS).


METHODS
The FDCS was a study of dental health in which no treatment was provided. In-person interviews and clinical examinations were conducted at baseline, 24 months, and 48 months, with six-month telephone interviews between those times. Participants reported any dentists visited and treatment received. All but four of the 764 participants at the 24-month session gave written permission to review their dental records. Dental hygienist research assistants abstracted information on treatment that was received during the 48-month interval.


RESULTS
Of the 286 practices named by FDCS subjects, all but 10 (of whom five refused) practices participated. Eight practices allowed access to records, but did not allow us to record fees. Fees were unavailable at another 13 practices. Of the 764 persons who participated for the 24-month interview, 677 ultimately reported at least one dental visit during the first 48 months of the study. Of those 677, we located dental records on 619. We also found records on four of the 111 persons who reported no dental visits, by querying practices while recording information on other participants. Charts varied in comprehensiveness; nevertheless, in conjunction with office staff consultation, all practices had adequate record of what procedures were performed.


CONCLUSIONS
Although time intensive, this method of collecting data substantially increased information about dental treatment received, compared to relying on participant self-report and clinical examination.
Gilbert
Gregg H
GH
Department of Diagnostic Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Alabama at Birmingham, SDB Room 109,1530 3rd Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35294-0007, USA. ghg@uab.edu
Rose
John S
JS
Cantey
Elmire D
ED
Earls
Janet L
JL
Eiford
Ellen I
EI
Eldreth
Mary Anne
MA
Shelton
Brent J
BJ
D003625:Data Collection / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods; D003729:Dental Care / Q000191:economics; D003752:Dental Health Services; D003792:Dental Records; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005250:Fees, Dental; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011215:Practice Management, Dental