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

Abstract #110014

Carol Kunzel, PhD¹, Eric W. Schrimshaw, MA (PhD cand)¹, Dennis A. Mitchell, DDS, MPH², Barbara B. Andoh, DDS, MPH³, and Karolynn Siegel, PhD¹. (1) Center for the Psychosocial Study of Health & Illness, Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health, 100 Haven Avenue, Suite 6A, New York, NY 10032, 212-304-5559, ck60@columbia.edu, (2) School of Dental and Oral Surgery, Columbia University, 630 West 168th St., New York, NY 10032, (3) Division of Pediatric Dentistry, Columbia University School of Dental and Oral Surgery, 630 West 168th Street, P&S Box 20, New York, NY 10032

Toothbrushing and flossing are recognized oral hygiene practices for maintaining oral health. Nearly all persons report at least daily toothbrushing, while only about 40% regularly utilize dental floss. Over the past 30 years only slight improvements have occurred in the frequency of these self-care behaviors. In this study we examine their prevalence among a sample of adult African Americans residing in Central Harlem (CH) who have experienced an oral symptom within the last six months, and the extent to which these practices are associated with oral health beliefs regarding the seriousness of oral disease and its importance. Identifying factors associated with maintaining oral health is of interest, for a previous study conducted among a representative sample of CH residents found that problems with teeth or gums were the most frequently cited problem (30%) from among 50 health complaints. Using structured questionnaires administered during face-to-face interviews with 89 sample members, recruited using a street intercept method, 18% reported flossing yesterday, while 67% reported brushing 2 or more times yesterday. Those who brushed more were significantly higher in their agreement that dental problems can be serious (p=.004), that they can cause other health problems (p=.012), placing great value in dental health (p=.007) (also significantly associated with flossing behavior, p=.009) and attributing importance to keeping their natural teeth (p=.037). Findings suggest the importance of socio-cultural beliefs regarding the seriousness of oral disease and its importance in promoting oral hygiene practices among adult CH African-Americans. Supported by R01-DE015115.

Learning Objectives:

• To consider the role of oral hygiene habits in maintaining oral health.
• To consider current rates of toothbrushing and flossing across racial/ethnic groups.
• To review current understanding of socio-behavioral determinants of oral hygiene practices.
• To consider how the data presented here supports or refutes these current understandings.

Keywords: African American, 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.