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Q Bulletin, Volume 1, No. 32 (Supplement 1), Jan - Dec 202412th National QA Convention, 8 %u2013 10 October 2024QLL-105Increasing the Percentage of Referred Orthodontic Patients that Achieved GoodOral Hygiene (OH) within 16 Weeks from Klinik Pergigian BahauKirubane R1, Sagaya Alysha D1, Nurul Farhana S1, Prasath S1, Nor Ismalina I1, Eshleen Nisha SK1, TanSY1, Rosni Suhaida R2, Fazilah H11Klinik Pergigian Bahau, Negeri Sembilan2Klinik Pergigian Bandar Seri Jempol, Negeri SembilanSELECTION OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPROVEMENT:Oral hygiene (OH) review is a mandatory procedure conducted biweekly for patients interested inorthodontic treatment at primary care prior to orthodontic specialist referral. Poor OH increases risks oftooth decay and gum diseases during orthodontic treatment. Patients often delay attaining good OHprolonging their referral. A 2022 verification study showed only 45% of patients had good OH within 16weeks. We aimed to increase this percentage and reduce referral time.KEY MEASURES FOR IMPROVEMENT:The indicator used was the percentage of patients with poor OH to be referred to an orthodontic specialistwithin 16 weeks. The standard of %u226580% was set based on the Plan of Action (POA) Klinik Pergigian (KP)Bahau 2023.PROCESS OF GATHERING INFORMATION:A quality improvement study was conducted in three phases from January to December 2023. Wedistributed questionnaires to 25 patients and 12 KP Bahau officers identifying the problem. Remedialmeasures were then implemented, and post-interventions were re-evaluated. Study tools used wereO%u2019Leary Index/Plaque score, dental records and questionnaires. Data were collected from clinical OHexamination.ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION:During pre-remedial phase, patients failed to achieve good OH due to improper brushing techniques(68%), poor dental awareness (44%), lack of brushing aid (28%), disinterest for orthodontic treatment(8%), defaulted regular dental check-ups (8%) and different practice among officers (13.9%) affecting thetimely referral for early interceptive treatment and patient waiting time.STRATEGIES FOR CHANGE:An innovative %u2018Dental Hygiene Tracker%u2019 card with a QR code of OH instructions, brushing aid samplesand OH monitoring table were created. A new SOP briefing and dentist-checklist standardising officerspractice was created.EFFECT OF CHANGE:After completion in 2023, 84% of 25 patients were referred for orthodontic treatment within 16 weeks.The strategy improved referral for early interceptive treatment and patient waiting time.THE NEXT STEP:Strategies to replicate the %u2018Dental Hygiene Tracker%u2019 card at district level are in progress. We plan tocollaborate with the Orthodontic Specialist Unit and dental suppliers.198 | Page