Table 1 Fit with Grassroots Social Innovation Theory
| Â | Stickers | Dry tooth-brushing | Brush-containers | Education / screening at immunisation | Training program |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Growing the idea – innovations all involved adapting existing product/service concepts | |||||
Idea is from grassrooots | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ |
Local innovators understand problem & produce feasible solutions | Adapted based on existing sticker system | Adapted based on lack of access to hygienic sinks | Adapted to produce cheaper product that met needs | Adapted for practice ‘space’ opportunity seen | Adopted, based on programs elsewhere |
Partnership facilitated by boundary spanning people | PHN staff supported idea to print stickers | Local participants examine evidence with researcher | Project stimulates school staff to produce new container | School staff linked with immunisation co-ordinators by project | Facilitator harnesses Medicare Local & RTOa to provide |
Development – all innovations were nurtured into implementation in the project ‘niche’ | |||||
Niche protection | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ |
Making it compatible with existing regime/practice | Fits with national child development book | Produce evidence-based guidelines | Fit with guidelines. Met hygiene standards | Sought approval of schools, PHNsb & other agencies | Appeared compatible with health system at first |
Support of policy level actors | PHN printed stickers and put on website | Adopted by State dental agency | Â | Supported by PHNs, School Management & University. | Affected professional boundaries |
Sustainability and diffusion – some innovations may not continue | |||||
Do we think it will continue? | ~maybe | √ | ~ | √ | ~ |
New organizational relationships | Needs PHN promotion | State agency diffused across state | Local innovation | Between schools and University | At first, but challenges professional boundaries |
Financial sustainability | Low cost, but uncertain | Depends on schools that implement it | Remains a local innovation | Dependent on dental student input | Seeking host agency for program |