141st APHA Annual Meeting

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School-based comprehensive oral health services in north vallejo: Assessing oral health behaviors, beliefs and attitudes through a caregiver perspective

Wednesday, November 6, 2013 : 11:10 AM - 11:20 AM

Ruby Warnock, MPH (c) , College of Education and Health Sciences, Public Health Program, Touro University California, Vallejo, CA
Ana Maria Mejia, MPH (c) , College of Education and Health Sciences, Public Health Program, Touro University California, Vallejo, CA
Tra Truong, MPH (c) , College of Education and Health Sciences, Public Health Program, Touro University California, Vallejo, CA
Annette Aalborg, DrPH , College of Education and Health Sciences, Public Health Program, Touro University California, Vallejo, CA
Gayle Cummings, MPH , College of Education and Health Sciences, Public Health Program, Touro University California, Vallejo, CA
Mey Saephan, MPH (c) , College of Education and Health Sciences, Public Health Program, Touro University California, Vallejo, CA
Nishit Vora, MPH (c) , College of Education and Health Sciences, Public Health Program, Touro University California, Vallejo, CA
Armando Vallin, MPH (c) , College of Education and Health Sciences, Public Health Program, Touro University California, Vallejo, CA
Mithu Bindal, MPH (c) , College of Education and Health Sciences, Public Health Program, Touro University California, Vallejo, CA
Lien Le, MPH (c) , College of Education and Health Sciences, Public Health Program, Touro University California, Vallejo, CA
Background: Children of lower socioeconomic status have higher prevalence of untreated dental caries than the general population. Studies show School-Based Health Centers (SBHC) are effective at addressing health care access disparities and increasing the use of health services and satisfaction. The School-Based Comprehensive Oral Health Services Project at Elsa Widenmann Elementary School in Vallejo, CA serves low-income families with children aged 0 to 18 lacking access to quality oral health services.

Objective: This study examines the link between primary caregiver reporting of their child(ren)'s brushing behaviors and their own reported brushing behaviors. Additionally, we examine the effects of external social influences on caregivers' behaviors and socioeconomic influences on self-reported brushing frequencies.

Methods: The cross-sectional study data are from 326 surveys distributed to caregivers of children aged 0 to 18 at the SBHC. The previously validated survey instrument: Parenting, Social Determinants, Health Services, Quality of Life, and Outcomes Questionnaire is intended to collect data regarding behaviors, beliefs and attitudes regarding oral health.

Results: The median report for brushing frequency was 14 times per week for both caregiver and index child. A preliminary regression analysis shows a positive correlation between reported brushing behaviors of caregivers and children (R² = 0.3398, CI=95%, p=0.012). Preliminary analysis shows no correlation between external influences on brushing behaviors or socioeconomics and reported caregiver or child brushing.

Conclusion: A strong correlation between reported behaviors for caregivers and children provides data for the importance of instilling proper oral health behaviors, attitudes and knowledge in both caregivers and children.

Learning Areas:
Advocacy for health and health education
Assessment of individual and community needs for health education
Clinical medicine applied in public health
Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
Describe data collected from a School-Based Comprehensive Oral Health Services Project data regarding caregiver reported behaviors, beliefs and attitudes regarding oral health and well-being. Discuss the importance of providing comprehensive oral health care services to diverse populations.

Keywords: Oral Health, School-Based Programs

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been involved in planning, research and implementation of a School-Based Comprehensive Oral Health Services Project located in North Vallejo California. Last year I presented collaborative research on a qualitative assessment of Service Providers’ Perspectives of community oral health needs at the APHA Annual Meeting. I am generally interested in community and school based delivery of health and oral health services.
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.