The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #40693

Sherri M Lukes, RDH, MS¹, Sandra J Maurizio, RDH, MSEd¹, and Ronda DeMattei, RDH². (1) Dental Hygiene Program/ Department of Health Care Professions, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Douglas Drive, SIUC, Carbondale, IL 62901-6615, 618-453-7289, smlukes@siu.edu, (2) Dental Hygiene/Health Care Professions, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Douglas Drive, Carbondale, IL 62901

Oral cancer educational materials were solicited from all 94 public health departments in Illinois and 60 returned materials for a 64% response rate. Of the materials received, only eleven different printed materials focused exclusively on oral cancer. Forth-seven different tobacco brochures were received and some contained oral cancer information. All printed materials were evaluated for accuracy and comprehensiveness of content in the thirteen elements: readability, risk factors, tobacco type, warning signs, symptoms, location, clinical examination, self examinations, prevention, early detection, morbidity and mortality, treatment, and accuracy. If the materials evaluated accurately represent the extent and quality of those available for distribution, there is a need to improve oral cancer materials. Brochures that were designed specifically for oral cancer were remiss in emphasizing the importance of early detection and recommendation of clinical and self examinations. Most tobacco brochures are inept in the comprehensive coverage of oral cancer and provide scant or no information on critical issues such as early detection and location. Readability scores indicate that 85% of all printed materials scored outside the standard range of 60-70 in the Flesch Reading Ease. Seventy-three percent of the materials scored outside the 7th and 8th grade range. Oral cancer is grossly underrepresented in the educational materials available to the public, especially when compared to the materials available on oral hygiene and dental decay. Oral cancer has the highest mortality of any oral disease but with early detection, morbidity and mortality rates improve.

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

• Discuss the need to increase the public's understanding of oral cancer.
• Discuss the need to increase the public health worker's understanding of oral cancer.
• Discuss the impact public health workers can have in the prevention, detection, and treatment of oral cancer.
• Evaluate an oral cancer pamphlet for comprehensiveness and accuracy.
• Apply the Flesch Reading Ease and Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level to determine readability levels of educational materials.
• Discuss the study's findings in relation to the oral health objectives of Healthy People 2010.

Keywords: Oral Health, Community Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Illinois Department of Public Health
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.