Pediatric Dentistry Resident Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine Charleston, South Carolina, United States
Background: Pediatric kidney transplant patients are at an increased risk of dental complications due to their degree of immune compromise following transplant. The importance of dental health for this patient population is well known, but guidelines around this topic are unclear. At our institution there were no standardized protocols in place for patient education, pre-transplant dental clearance, or post-transplant dental treatment. Objective: The objective of this ongoing quality improvement (QI) project is to improve oral health for pediatric kidney transplant recipients at our institution by standardizing the pre-transplant dental clearance process, implementing an educational intervention, establishing guidelines on prophylaxis and improving compliance with basic dental care pre- and post-transplant. This project’s aims are to increase the percentage of patients with a dental home and increase patient understanding of the importance of oral hygiene in their overall transplant care. Design/Methods: A key driver diagram was outlined after discussion with stakeholders. Baseline data is being obtained from May to November 2023 through a survey assessing pediatric kidney transplant patients' oral hygiene, dietary habits, dental history, and perceived importance of oral health. An educational intervention is then carried out following completion of the survey. A pediatric dentistry resident delivers education, provides oral screenings, and facilitates dental visits. Topics discussed include proper home care and the relationship between systemic health and oral health. Outcome measures include frequency of dental visits, dietary habits, oral hygiene, and perception of the importance of dental health. From December 2023 to February 2024, a follow-up survey will be administered to the patients who received the educational intervention. This QI project was IRB exempt.
