Adoption Issues Associated with a New Periodontal Screening Tool: An Online Survey of Canadian Dentists

ABSTRACT Objective: To determine barriers and facilitators associated with the acceptance of a new diagnostic screening tool for periodontitis. Methods: As part of a larger study to examine factors that affect the adoption of new technology by dentists, we piloted an online survey ofCanadian dentists through an electronic newsletter produced by the Journal of the Canadian Dental Association . A new oral rinse thatscreens for the presence of periodontitis by estimating neutrophil abundance in saliva was used for illustrative purposes. The surveyincluded questions about the types of patients for which the test would be beneficial, how the test might be incorporated into practice andhow much the dentist would be willing to pay for the test. Results: As the survey was delivered through a new communication tool, the response rate was low. Nonetheless there appeared to beinterest in new periodontal screening tools to complement existing diagnostic tests for periodontitis. The test was seen as a valuableeducational tool for patients; however, the cost to administer the test was determined to be an issue.