217093 Challenges in designing intervention studies to reduce oral health disparities in American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations

Monday, November 8, 2010

William Henderson, MPH, PhD , Health Outcomes Program, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO
Judith Albino, PhD , University of Colorado, Aurora, CO
David Quissell, PhD , Craniofacial Biology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO
Terry Batliner, DDS, MBA , School of Dental Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO
Angela Brega, PhD , University of Colorado, Aurora, CO
Oral disease is much more prevalent in AI/AN populations compared to other groups in the U.S. The Center for Native Oral Health Research (CNOHR)(NIDCR U54-DE019259)in the Centers for American Indian/Alaska Native Health (CAIANH) at the University of Colorado was established to design and conduct intervention studies to reduce Early Childhood Caries (ECC) and other oral health disparities in AI/AN populations. CNOHR is currently conducting two large-scale clinical trials of different interventions to reduce ECC in two different AI/AN populations. One study in a Northern Plains AI/AN population involves using Motivational Interviewing to teach well-accepted oral health practices to assist new mothers in preventing ECC in their newborns. The other study, proposed for a Southwestern AI/AN population, involves training community oral health specialists to provide fluoride varnishes and oral health education in Head Start Centers. In the first study, the target of the intervention and unit of randomization is the mother/child. In the second study, they are the Head Start Center. The design of intervention studies in AI/AN populations presents special challenges in terms of settings in which the intervention is given and the unit of randomization, selection of a control group, acceptance of randomization and control groups by the AI/AN communities, application of the intervention and data capture methods in remote areas, measuring the effects of moderators/mediators, follow-up of study participants, and the processes of review and approval of the research. The special design challenges in conducting these studies will be addressed in this presentation.

Learning Areas:
Biostatistics, economics
Diversity and culture
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs

Learning Objectives:
Describe challenges in designing intervention studies to reduce oral health disparities in American Indian/Alaska Native populations

Keywords: Oral Health, Health Disparities

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am qualified to present because I am the biostatistician at the Center for Native Oral Health Research at the University of Colorado who helped to design the intervention studies that I will talk about.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

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.