ADOPTION OF INNOVATIVE CARIES-CONTROL SERVICES IN DENTAL PRACTICE - ASURVEY OF WASHINGTON-STATE DENTISTS

To assess the adoptability of the medical model for caries control, th e authors surveyed general dentists about their use of four caries-con trol services among adult patients: salivary functioning tests, fluori de varnishes, chlorhexidine rinses, and pit-and-fissure sealants. Resp onses indicated that leaders in the dental community and those with a wider network of professional colleagues were likely to adopt new serv ices more quickly than other dentists. Earlier adopters also had more correct information about these services than later or nonadopters. Ov erall, the knowledge base of the services studied in this survey was n ot uniform, making adoption of the medical model for caries control pr emature.