The OH! Challenge has indicated knowledge gaps among the dental profession on a number of oral health topics, with an average knowledge score of just 51%.
Launched at this year’s BDA Conference, the OH! Challenge was created to test oral health knowledge and has emphasised some interesting knowledge gaps, including:
- 46% did not know that gingivitis and periodontitis are a continuum of the same inflammatory disease
- Only 44% knew the updated BPE guidelines for code three sextants
- Just 3% understood that advice to rinse all traces of fluoridated toothpaste after brushing depended upon the patient’s oral health needs.
These results will inform a programme of evidence-based articles for the dental team, designed to increase understanding of these all-important issues.
Alarmed
Iain Chapple, professor of periodontology, commented: ‘As a periodontologist, I was quite alarmed to see that 22% of DHCPs did not know what a BPE code one meant.
‘Equally, only 23% of respondents knew that twice-daily brushing for just two minutes was likely to be insufficient for patients with periodontitis.
‘We all benefit from continuing professional development and this is a very practical and relevant way of targeting ongoing education to keep healthcare professionals up to date.’
Dental hygienist, Julie Rosse, also commented: ‘The results are a gentle reminder that we need to constantly revise and refresh our sources of evidence-based information in our everyday working lives.
‘It is obvious that we might not be using the latest evidence-based information available.’
Visit www.listerineprofessional.co.uk to see the results in more detail, to test your own knowledge and to follow the supporting programme of evidence-based content that will be released in instalments over the course of the year.
The OH! Challenge was created by Johnson & Johnson, the makers of Listerine.
