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Bruce Cunningham

Bruce Cunningham

“Being a member of the network gives me a fresh outlook on dentistry. I believe it cuts down on burnout. To be involved in practice-based research network makes the daily practice more interesting to be involved in the studies. Plus, I think it provides so real life, real practice information that is helpful for the research that is being done. My patients always have a positive attitude about being participants. We have not had many people decline participation.”

Depressed Man Getting Some Support From Health Provider

The Mental Health Screening and Referral to Treatment in Dental Practices (MSDP) is recruiting oral health providers

Mental health screening can improve quality of life and treatment engagement. Unlike primary medical services, where screening for mental health concerns is standard practice, dental offices rarely perform this as part of routine dental care. The MSDP pilot study will evaluate the feasibility of integrating mental health screening and referral to mental health services into dental practice workflows. Five practitioners from the South-Central Region of the National Dental PBRN will be recruited to enroll between 5 and 8 patients in each dental office.

The FreSH Study Is Recruiting Oral Health Providers

The FreSH Study is recruiting oral health providers

Oral health practitioners rarely treat tobacco use. The FreSH study tests a simple tobacco treatment approach called Nicotine Replacement Therapy Sampling. In this study, practices will provide a brief intervention for tobacco cessation recommended by the American Dental Hygienist’s Association called Ask-Advise-Refer (Ask all patients if they smoke, advise them to quit, and refer to the state quitline).

Post-Operative Dental Pain Study

Post-Operative Dental Pain Study

POPS is a longitudinal, prospective cohort study seeking to provide insight into post-operative dental pain experienced by patients after dental procedures.