Assessment of Changes in Access/Utilization and Oral Health Behaviors Among Children Participating in an Oral Health Project at 12-Month Follow-Up

The Oral Health Project at Elsa Widenmann School in Vallejo, CA serves low-income families, with children ages 1-18, lacking access to oral health services. This study’s aim is to assess changes in oral health behaviors and access/utilization of oral health services among the children utilizing parental report data. Parents reported on their child’s access to oral health care, insurance status and oral health behaviors. They completed a baseline questionnaire and a one-year follow-up questionnaire (n=100). Participating children received an initial oral health exam, follow-up visits every three months, and oral health education both at the clinic and schools. The sample population is composed of 70% Latinos, 78% of parents are married and have an annual income of $20,000-$29,000. Preliminary results demonstrate that children with reported insurance status increased from 48% at baseline to 63% at one-year follow-up, with 55% being governmental insurance. At baseline, 63% of parents report they had not seen a dentist in more than a year whereas at follow-up only 43% had not seen a dentist in the same time frame. At follow-up, 70% of parents reported that they plan to take their child to the dentist within 6-months, indicating positive behavioral intention. At baseline, 51% of parents report that their child brushed their teeth twice a day, everyday, which significantly increased to 63% at follow-up.  Oral health programs offered as part of school-based health services are an important strategy to address health disparities by increasing access to oral health services for low-income, underinsured children and families.