Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #109923

Gordon L. Gillespie, RN, MSN, CEN¹, Christine Savage, RN, PhD¹, Roberta J. Lee, RN, MSN, MPH¹, and Adele Corbin, RN, MSN². (1) MASTER'S STUDENT, University of Cincinnati, College of Nursing, 3110 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH 45221, 513-558-2142, gillesgl@yahoo.com, (2) Nursing, University Hospital, 234 Goodman Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45219

PURPOSE: The General Accounting Office reported in 2000 that persons with lower incomes are less likely to have a dental visit within the prior year. Homeless clients are less likely to get dental care due to a priority of survival needs and lack of dental insurance. To determine the extent of the problem in their clinic population, nurses at a nurse managed health clinic for the homeless included dental health questions as part of the health survey administered to clients. The purpose of the study was to compare those who reported good to excellent dental health with those who reported poor dental health in relation to physical health status.

METHODS AND FINDINGS: This was part of a larger study conducted with a sample of clients seeking treatment at the nurse managed clinic. Participants were recruited from those attending the clinic and asked to complete a health status questionnaire that included items related to dental health. Of the 63 participants, 17 (27.0%) reported poor dental health. These participants were four times more likely to report poor general health. They were also more than two times likely to report a history of diabetes (5.9% vs. 2.2%), hypertension (47.1% vs. 23.9%), migraine headaches (17.6% vs. 6.5%), chronic back pain (35.3% vs. 17.4%), and smoking daily (88.2% vs. 47.8%).

CONCLUSIONS: Homeless clients of the nurse clinic with poor dental health have a greater need for dental health education. Nearly 30% reported they had not received dental care for the last 5 years and all delayed getting dental care when needed. This information was used to develop nursing interventions aimed at improving dental health including dental health education, providing dental care supplies, and linking clients with dental care services available to the homeless.

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

(
• describe the general health of homeless clients with poor dental health and (
• identify nursing interventions linking homeless clients to dental health resources.

Keywords: Homeless Health Care, Oral Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.