April 28, 2010

Health Plan Pediatricians & Family Practitioners: We have scheduled a focus group for May 4th to discuss the provision of the fluoride varnish for members under 6 years of age. Your input is requested to help identify the issues to be addressed with the focus group. Please complete the survey and fax it back to: Robin Morrow, Health Educator, at (209) 461-2459 at your earliest convenience.

1. I think my medical assistant(s), with minimal training, will be able to apply topical fluoride dental varnish.   Yes   No
2. My office knows what billing code to use for fluoride varnish application.   Yes   No
3. We havenft fully participated in fluoride varnish applications because: (circle all that apply)
   1. Parents are taking care of this at their childfs dental home
   2. It is not a medical function
   3. It is one more thing on an already tight visit schedule
   4. I donft have time to get everything set-up: fluoride varnish order, training, billing, documentation, protocol
   5. It will cost the office more than it will bring in
   6. I was not aware of the fluoride varnish program
   7. I do not think the fluoride varnish treatment will improve the childfs dental health
   8. Our medical assistants are not ready to do this
   9. Parents do not want fluoride varnish treatment for their children
   10. It takes longer than expected - educating parents, procedure, documenting, and billing
   11. I donft have access to topical fluoride varnish
   12. I wasnft aware of our ability to do this
   13. I am concerned about the protocols, policy and procedure to cover this practice
   14. I do not know enough about fluoride varnish to supervise our MAfs in this role
   15. I am concerned about fluorosis
   16. I do not believe in fluoridation
   17. Other, ___________________________________________________
4. We could use help with: (circle all that apply)
   • MA training
   • Doctor training of standards, protocol, documentation and supervision expectations
   • Sample documentation
   • Sample protocols
   • Front office/billing training
   • Fluoride varnish supply decision
   • Parent education
   • Liability

If you're interested in participating in the focus group or would like more information on the application of fluoride varnish, contact Robin Morrow at (209) 461-2259 or Email: rmorrow@hpsj.com. Thank you for your assistance.

Dale Bishop, MD Director