Focus Group

HDM Case Managers

Date: ____________________

Interviewer initials: _____________________ 

“Thank you for agreeing to participate in this focus group. I know your time is limited and appreciate 

you spending this time with me. As you know, we are trying to learn how best to address oral health 

and dental needs among HDM recipients. Before we begin, please take a minute to read the 

information sheet. Please feel free to ask me any questions regarding this interview. Your 

participation is completely voluntary. Your decision to participate/not participate is confidential and 

will not be communicated to your employer. Your decision to participate will not impact your 

employment.” 

Let the participant read the information sheet and answer any questions that may arise. 

“Your focus group will be recorded. As soon as the data are transcribed, we will destroy the 

recording. Can I turn on the recorder?” 

First some questions about you: 

1. How long have you been working as a case manager?

2. Have you always worked in case management in the HDM system, or have you worked in other

areas, such as child protection and safety?

3. What is the highest level of training/education you have received?

4. Did you receive your training in the United States?

5. Please identify your race. Do you identify as: (Circle correct responses)

a. African-American or Black

b. White

c. Asian

d. Native American

e. Other (specify_________________________)

IRB-AAAR6590 (Y02M00)

IRB Approval Date: 03/01/2019

For use until: 02/29/2020
6. Are you of Hispanic/Latino heritage? (circle one response)

a. Yes

b. No

7. Were you born in the United States

a. Yes....go to question 9

b. No.....go to question 8

8. Where were you born?

9. Interviewer: record participant gender______________

Now some questions about oral and dental health among your clients

11. Are you familiar with the dental questions in the STARS assessment?

12. How many clients have you identified over the past year as having problems with their teeth,

mouth or dentures?

13. What kinds of problems with teeth, mouth or dentures do clients experience?

14. When a client has a problem with their teeth, mouth or dentures, what steps do you take?

Prompts: For example, do you provide them with literature on how to take care of their mouth,

or do you make a referral to the dentist?

15. Have you encountered clients who experience problems eating or chewing due to problems

with their teeth, mouth or dentures?

16. What are the most common foods that clients experience difficulty eating?

IRB-AAAR6590 (Y02M00)

For use until: 02/29/2020

IRB Approval Date: 03/01/2019
17. When you identify a client who experiences problems eating or chewing due to problems with

their teeth, mouth or dentures what steps do you take to help them? Probe: link to dentist, tell

client to chop food or puree it to soften food, report to supervisor etc.

18. How useful do you think it will be if you can get pureed or chopped foods for clients who have

difficulty eating or chewing due to problems with their teeth, mouth or dentures?

Now some questions about STARS

19. Do you find the dental questions in the STARS assessment easy to use?

20. Do you find the dental questions in the STARS assessment to be useful in identifying clients with

dental needs?

21. Are there any additional questions that you think may be useful to add?

22. Are there any questions that you think may be useful to remove?

23. Have you ever used the dentist directory that DFTA developed to find a dentist for a client? If

yes, did you find it easy to use?

IRB-AAAR6590 (Y02M00)

For use until: 02/29/2020

IRB Approval Date: 03/01/2019
24. Please rate the following dental care problems among your clients in order from most important

(1) to least important (4)

a. Difficulty getting to the dentist

b. No dental insurance/no way to pay for dental care

c. Difficulty keeping teeth, mouth or dentures clean

d. Difficulty buying toothbrush/toothpaste/denture care (do you poor mobility or finances)

25. Please rate the following dental problems among your clients in order from most important (1)

to least important (4)

a. No teeth

b. No dentures

c. Difficulty eating/chewing

d. Difficulty speaking

26. Do you have any suggestions for how we can better address dental problems among HDM

clients?

27. Do you have any additional questions or comments for me?

IRB-AAAR6590 (Y02M00)

For use until: 02/29/2020

IRB Approval Date: 03/01/2019