title: Comparing the risk identification and management behaviors between oral health providers for patients with diabetes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Evidence supporting the link between periodontal disease and systemic disease continues to grow. To date, little is known about how dental professionals incorporate this information into managing diabetic patients. This study examines the risk identification and practice  behaviors regarding diabetic patients among dentists, hygienists and specialists.
  
  
  METHODS
  Responses were received from 383 currently practicing oral health professionals in Arkansas. The electronic survey consisted of 35 open and closed-ended or Likert-type items. Principal  components factor analysis using varimax rotation was used to explore underlying dimensions of the questionnaire in order to provide a more parsimonious view of the outcomes. Logistic models were fitted to determine best practice outcome as a function of knowledge and professional and social  norms.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Neither knowledge about diabetes (p<0.285) nor provider type (p<0.186) was a predictor of practice behavior. Professional and social norms (p<0.001) identified those practitioners who felt modifying their management strategies for their patients with diabetes  was a necessary component of their practice behavior.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In general, risk assessment was lacking, irrespective of whether a clinician was a dentist or dental hygienist. Results indicate oral health professionals in Arkansas need to improve the treatment and management of  patients with diabetes and periodontal disease.
authors.affiliation: University of Arkansas-Fort Smith, USA.
authors.forename: Mitzi G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Efurd
authors.forename: Kimberly Krust
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Bray
authors.forename: Tanya Villalpando
authors.initials: TV
authors.lastname: Mitchell
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Williams
mesh_terms: D001131:Arkansas; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D017742:Dental Care for Chronically Ill; D003756:Dental Hygienists / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D003815:Dentists / Q000523:psychology; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D004497:Education, Dental; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D008487:Medical History Taking; D010508:Periodontal Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000517:prevention & control; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000175:diagnosis; D019239:Practice Patterns, Dentists'; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D018570:Risk Assessment
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin