Latinos' oral health-related knowledge and beliefs and implications for message development and delivery

Latino children have disproportionately high prevalence and severity of Early Childhood Caries (ECC) and require linguistically and culturally appropriate educational programs. Findings and lessons learned from multiple studies understanding and addressing children's oral health among Latino parents of young children will be presented: 1-Prior to developing a health message or intervention: oral health knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, behaviors etc. of Latino parents; 2-Developing health messages/interventions: incorporating theory, prior research, and target community; and 3- Delivering health messages/interventions: delivery style, place, feedback and adaption. Qualitative studies with over 100 participants were conducted in northern California over 6 years in rural and urban settings with primarily Mexican-origin parents of children aged 1-5 years.