Role of Oral Health Clinicians in Screening for Non- Communicable Diseases in Kiambu County

Abstract

Introduction: Background Oral health clinicians need to play a bigger role in preventing, identifying, and managing non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Dental clinics in public hospitals are often the only point of contact between patients and the healthcare system, so screening for NCDs within the dental setup could help manage these diseases effectively. Objective: To assess the role of oral health clinicians in screening for non-Communicable diseases in Kiambu County. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional qualitative study conducted in 10 dental clinics within select public health facilities in Kiambu County. A census sampling technique was used to select the study participants who were community oral health officers, dental officers, and dental specialists - A maxillofacial surgeon, a periodontologist, a prosthodontist, a paediatric dentist, and a public health dentist. The oral health clinicians' socio-demographic data – their cadre, gender, availability of a job description and years of professional training- was collected using self-administered questionnaires, while primary investigator-led interviews were conducted using an interview guide. Qualitative data was then transcribed and thematic content analysis was done. A verbatim approach was used during data transcription to describe the study findings. Results: Oral health clinicians in Kiambu County have some knowledge on screening for non-communicable diseases and their risk factors. The oral health clinicians with more years of training, while more informed on NCDs, did not have a common reference point against which to screen for and detect NCDs. All the study participants agreed that they have a role in screening for non-communicable diseases; however, they are not aware of and do not participate in NCD screening activities in the sampled public health facilities. Oral health services in Kiambu County are not integrated with the general patients’ care. There were no County or facility standard operating procedures for oral and NCDs care. Study Limitations: Covid-19’s occurrence adversely affected the primary investigator’s ability to conduct the study on larger sample sizes, for a more conclusive outcome. This was occasioned by movement restrictions during this season and exposure risks associated with the disease. There is far too little material published on the research subject locally. There is a need to conduct this research in other areas within the country, under different set-ups -including the private healthcare sector; to inform the kind and level of intervention needed for oral health clinicians to effectively participate in screening for NCDs. Conclusion: From the study findings, there is far too little material published locally and globally on the research subject. There is a need to conduct this research in other areas within the country, under different set-ups - including the private healthcare sector; to inform the kind and level of intervention needed for oral health clinicians to effectively participate in screening for NCDs. Recommendations: 1). Capacity building for oral health clinicians in Kiambu County on why, when, and how to screen patients for non-communicable diseases, as well as how to engage and disseminate information to these patients on NCDs and their risk factors presentation, prevention, and control. 2). Development and implementation of County and facility standard operating procedures on oral health and NCDs management as well as proper channels of NCDs patient referral, from the oral health department, within and between public health facilities in the county. 3). Development and deployment of protocols on integration and involvement of oral health clinicians in screening for NCDs in dental clinics and outpatient centres in public health facilities in Kiambu County.