Recorded presentation

Ann Slaughter, DDS, MPH, Department of Community Oral Health, University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, 4001 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146-6003, 215-898-4779, yas@pobox.upenn.edu

African American elders experience disproportionate levels of oral diseases and utilize dental services less than their counterparts. Community-based educational programs are needed to address this disparity. The objective was to achieve better understanding for African-American elder's oral health beliefs and to use this knowledge to develop a culturally sensitive health promotion program. Target population attended six senior centers in West Philadelphia. Four focus groups (n=24) were conducted at two centers with probing questions guided by the Health Belief Model and Social Cognitive Theory. Oral screenings (n=147) were conducted at six centers to compare clinically assessed dental care need to perceived dental care need. Participants mean age was 76 years with a female majority. Content analyses revealed gaps in dental knowledge such as: Plaque bacteria causing dental decay and gum disease; tooth loss from gum disease; and dental providers cannot help prevent gum disease. Participants had little knowledge to the benefits of flossing. Findings from oral screenings revealed a significant discrepancy between perceived and clinically assessed dental care need with 61% in need of dental care. Persons reporting oral pain were 4 times more likely to perceive a dental problem than those not perceiving a dental problem, although only 9% reported oral pain. Few rated their general health status as poor (9%). An educational program was developed. Content included preventive benefits of thorough cleanings; increased awareness of non-painful oral signs and symptoms requiring dental care, concomitant with increasing awareness of the effects of plaque related diseases

Learning Objectives: Learning objectives

• To achieve a better understanding of the oral health beliefs of community-residing African American elders, and
• Using oral health beliefs to develop a culturally sensitive health promotion program.

Keywords: Oral Health Needs, Oral Health Outcomes

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.

Recorded presentation