The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #55180

Paula A. Kriner, MPH¹, Alfonso Rodriguez-Lainz, PhD², and Valerie Romeo, RDA¹. (1) Imperial County Public Health Department, 935 Broadway, El Centro, CA 92243, 858-586-7551, pakriner@aol.com, (2) California Office of Binational Border Health, 3851 Rosecrans St., San Diego, CA 92138

Dental decay is a common chronic childhood disease. In low-income children, almost half of tooth decay remains untreated and may result in pain, dysfunction, and problems that can reduce a child’s capacity to succeed in school. The study’s aim was to investigate oral health knowledge and preventive practices of children in Imperial County, California, which has a high number of low-income and impoverished residents with limited or no access to dental care.

All enrolled fourth-graders in five schools participated in a pretest (314) and posttest (286) to assess oral health knowledge and hygiene practices before and after an intervention of weekly fluoride rinses, and oral health and nutrition education, conducted by the Imperial County Public Health Department. Using self-completed questionnaires, students were asked to identify the best brushing method, number of times to brush daily, best bristle type, best way to clean between teeth, and a cavity-fighting mineral. They also were asked to self-report brushing and flossing practices, and use of mouthguards for sports.

Students’ oral hygiene practices and mouthguard usage remained about the same, but overall dental knowledge increased post-intervention. Students were significantly more likely to know circular brushing is best and fluoride is a cavity-fighting mineral. A higher percentage knew flossing cleans between teeth, soft-bristle toothbrushes are best, and to brush three times daily. Results indicate a need to improve oral health knowledge and preventive practices among the study population. The intervention was effective in increasing students’ knowledge, but appears to have little impact on oral hygiene practices.

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to:
• 3. Describe a comprehensive intervention designed to increase students' oral health knowledge and preventive practices.
  6. Discuss the limitations of a self-administered questionnaire to assess students' knowledge and preventive practices.
  9. List at least three examples of lessons learned from conducting an oral health intervention and assessment among a low-income, predominantly Latino population.

Keywords: Oral Health, Child Health

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.