MEMORANDUM
To: Dr. Erika Paterson
From: Helene Tran
Date: October 29, 2021
Subject: Formal Progress Report – Proposal for Expanding the ‘Lift the Lip’ Program
Purpose of Report
The purpose of this report is to evaluate the ‘Lift the Lip’ fluoride varnish program and provide recommendations to expand the current program to reach more locations and facilities.
Intended Audience
This proposal is intended for Michael McAuley, the Allied Health Manager at Interior Health.
Significance
ECC is the most common childhood disease and dental surgery for ECC under general anesthesia is the most common day surgery procedure at most pediatric hospitals in Canada. Potential consequences of ECC are acute and chronic pain; interference with the child’s eating and sleeping; tooth loss and misaligned teeth; increased expenses for dental care throughout life; and compromise of general health. Therefore, the prevalence of ECC in Canadian preschool children is a growing concern.
Methods
- Primary data collection from surveys to parents of children attending daycare and preschool to gauge interest in expanding the fluoride varnish program: Link to survey
- Primary data also via interviews from Interior Health dental program staff: Interview Questions
- Secondary sources will include reviewing existing research studying and comparing fluoride efficacy in reducing ECC and reference to publications regarding the effectiveness of fluoride varnish programs
Research Plan
Problem:
- Identify barriers to access of community dental programs
- Identify the efficacy of fluoride varnish programs compared to regions that do not offer fluoride varnish programs
Primary research methods:
- Surveys from parents of daycare and preschoolers
- Interviews from Interior Health dental program staff
Secondary research methods:
- Review of published research on comparing fluoride efficacy in reducing ECC and publications regarding the effectiveness of fluoride varnish programs
Recommendations:
- Propose recommendations to expand the ‘Lift the Lip’ fluoride varnish program based on findings from primary and secondary research
Writing Schedule
November 2: Complete Unit 2 Reflection draft
November 3: Unit 2 Reflections due
November 3-7: Survey distribution & data collection
November 8-14: Start writing formal report draft
November 16: Formal report draft due
November 17-19: Start peer review of formal report draft
November 19: Peer review of formal report due
November 20-25: Revise formal report
November 26: Formal report submission
Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns.
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