154868 Identifying Supports and Barries Among Dental Hygiene Students of Color in Program Completion and Serving their Respective Communities

Tuesday, November 6, 2007

Rheena Yangson, MPH (c) , Community Health Education, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA
Jason Lim, MPH (c) , Community Health Education, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA
Kanwarpal Dhaliwal, MPH , Oakland, CA
Craig Wingate, MPH (c) , Community Health Education, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA
Kristina Spurgeon, MPH (c) , Community Health Education, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA
Purpose--The purpose of this community health assessment is to assess the psychosocial and material needs of students of color in dental hygiene programs at Chabot College, Foothill College, and Diablo Valley College (DVC). Methods--Surveys were conducted with students enrolled in the three Bay Area community college programs (N=114). Key informant interviews were conducted with the program directors (N=3) and practicing dental hygienists of color who reside and work in the Bay Area (N=3). Findings--Descriptive results of the assessment do not indicate a significant difference in the needs of students of color versus white students to enter or complete such programs or identify any factors that support or hinder entrance into the field. Students of color placed greater importance on attention to diversity and cultural competence than did white students. A significant number of respondents (97%) indicated the private practice setting as their primary choice for employment. Qualitative results suggest that education and training models are geared towards dental board certification and licensure requirements, with little room to integrate or include public health or community-based models of care. Recommendation-- Pursue policy efforts to expand the scope of dental hygiene care to community-based and public health settings in order to meet the oral health needs of underserved communities of color.

Learning Objectives:
1) To identify key factors that impact oral health disparities among communities of color 2) To discuss the role of dental hygienists of color in reducing oral health disparities 3) To discuss policy based strategies to address oral health disparities among communities of color

Keywords: Oral Health Needs, Community Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.