Data information is reported quarterly to the QA Committee and also given to the individual provider and to the management team. Individual comparison is made against the corporate standard. In the future, the hope is to implement an electronic data record to improve the quality of the data and the ease with which it can be gathered. The Kaiser dental tobacco cessation program is integrated with other prevention activity. Each client is assessed for oral disease and risk status for caries, periodontal disease, and oral cancer.
Smoking places a client in the high risk category for both periodontal disease and oral cancer.
As such, the client receives a tailored message regarding oral health and smoking status. Typically, a client is assessed in the initial written history and orally for tobacco use. Providers received a letter of tobacco cessation support from the corporate CEO with a packet of initial information about the statewide tobacco cessation effort and materials, including the Oregon guidelines, educational handouts for clients, and a documentation stamp for charting the 4 A's. A staff meeting was held at each clinic to review and discuss this information. Clinic offices call the MDCO tobacco cessation coordinator for additional information and resources as needed.