The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #39358

Ann Slaughter, DDS, MPH, Department of Dental Care Systems, University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, 4001 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146-6003, 215-898-4779, yas@pobox.upenn.edu and Lynne Taylor, PhD, Center of Excellence on Minority Health, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, 3508 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104-3357.

African American elders experience a disproportionate level of oral diseases and utilize dental services less often than their counterparts in the general population. Perceptions of the need for health care plays a major role as to whether elderly will seek out professional services. The objective of the study was to achieve a broader understanding of perceived oral care need, objective oral care need, and the relationship between these variables and utilization patterns among community-dwelling African American elders. We hypothesized that by comparing perceived oral need with clinically assessed need, we should be able to identify specific oral conditions that require care, yet may not be perceived important enough to stimulate care-seeking behavior. A Donebedian based model of need guided the hypothesis. African American elders (n=157) received oral screenings at Philadelphia inner city senior centers (n=6). Overall, 64% required clinical care, yet 47% reported perceived oral care need. Clinical need was identified in one-half of those reporting no oral problems (51%) of which 29% had a recent dental visit. Specific oral conditions mostly not recognized as a problem included abnormal gingiva (34%); retained roots (32%); cavities (35%); and ill-fitting prosthesis (45%). Few reported oral pain or a poor health status, 8% and 10% respectively. These findings suggest developing health education programs that particularly emphasize the asymptomatic signs of oral conditions that may compromise general health and well-being. Supported by University Research Foundation grant #703603.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, the participant will be able to

• Recognize particular oral health conditions that are prevalent but undetected among a sample of community-dwelling African American elders.
• Compare and contrast perceived oral need to objective oral need relative to utilization patterns among a sample of community-dwelling African American elders.
• Discuss intervention strategies that highlight oral conditions from an asymptomatic perspective.

Keywords: Healthy People 2000/2010, Health Promotion

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.