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

Abstract #110267

Karen E. Peters, DrPH¹, Anne Koerber, DDS, PhD², Khatija Noorullah², Ester Lopez², Izadora Torres², Linda M. Kaste, DDS, PhD², and John Crawford, BDS, PhD³. (1) Illinois Prevention Research Center/Institute for Health Research and Policy, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1747 W. Roosevelt, Ste 500, Chicago, IL 60608, 312-413-4944, kpeters@uic.edu, (2) Pediatric Dentistry, University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry, MC 850, 801 South Paulina Street, Chicago, IL 60612, (3) Periodontics, University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry, MC 859, 801 South Paulina Street, Chicago, IL 60612

According the Surgeon General's Report on Oral Health, poor oral health has been characterized as a ‘silent epidemic'. The Latino population is known to be underserved with regard to basic health care including access to the oral health care system. Latinos also suffer a disproportionate burden of diabetes compared to other population groups. Recent research suggests that there is a bi-directional ‘link' between periodontal disease and diabetes such that periodontal disease is considered a complication of diabetes and there is evidence that treatment of periodontal infection contributes to better metabolic control. Community understandings of this linkage were the focus of a qualitative research study conducted in an urban, predominantly Latino population. Data were collected from 72 subjects who participated in one of ten focus groups representing the following groups: high school students, parents of young children, persons with diabetes and older adults. Key topics covered in all focus groups were: reaction to the link, knowledge about the link, best method to get the link information to the community, trustworthy sources where they could seek information about diabetes and gum disease, family experience with the disease, attitudes/perception of diabetes and gum disease and views/role of the professionals. Findings suggest that oral health information is of interest to the Latino community and specific messages need to be tailored to intended audiences using a variety of communication methods. Using community based strategies for information dissemination identified in this study will contribute to increased understandings about the linkage of diabetes and oral health.

Learning Objectives:

• 1. Understand the link between diabetes and oral health from an urban Latino community perspective
• 2. Articulate up to five community identified strategies for discussing oral health issues within the Latino community

Keywords: Oral Health, Diabetes

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.