title: Attitudes toward and beliefs about the use of a dental diagnostic terminology: A survey of dental care providers in a dental practice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Attitudes and views are critical to the adoption of innovation. Although there have been broadening calls for a standardized dental diagnostic terminology, little is known about the views of private practice dental team members regarding the adoption of such a terminology.
  
  
  METHODS
  The authors developed a survey by using validated questions identified through literature review. Domain experts' input allowed for further modifications. The authors administered the final survey electronically to 814 team members at a multioffice practice based in the US Pacific Northwest.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Response proportion was 92%. The survey had excellent reliability (Cronbach α coefficient = 0.87). Results suggested that participants showed, in general, positive attitudes and beliefs about using a standardized diagnostic terminology in their practices. Additional written comments by participants highlighted the potential for improved communication with use of the terminology.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dental care providers and staff in 1 multioffice practice showed positive attitudes about the use of a diagnostic terminology; specifically, they believed it would improve communication between the dentist and patient, as well as among providers, while expressing some concerns about whether using standardized dental diagnostic terms helps clinicians to deliver better dental care.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  As the dental profession is advancing toward the use of standardized diagnostic terminology, successful implementation will require that dental team leaders prepare their teams by gauging their attitude about the use of such a terminology.
authors.forename: Rachel B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Ramoni
authors.forename: Muhammad F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Walji
authors.forename: Soyun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Oluwabunmi
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Tokede
authors.forename: Lyle
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: McClellan
authors.forename: Kristen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Simmons
authors.forename: Eugene
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Skourtes
authors.forename: Alfa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yansane
authors.forename: Joel M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: Elsbeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kalenderian
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003726:Dental Assistants / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003815:Dentists / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D015205:Northwestern United States; D009910:Oral Hygiene / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D009626:Terminology as Topic; D014076:Tooth Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*
keywords: Dentistry; International Classification of Diseases; Systematized Nomenclature of Dentistry; Systematized Nomenclature of Medicine; adoption; attitudes and beliefs; diagnostic terminology; electronic health record; innovation; leadership