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Dental disease preventive programs in a rural Appalachian population
A D Burger1, J M Boehm, C L Sellaro
1College of Health and Human Services, Youngstown State University, Ohio, USA.
Journal of Dental Hygiene : JDH
|May 1, 1997
Summary
This program educated dental hygienists in public health and provided preventive care to underserved rural Appalachians. Student experiences were positive, highlighting a community-based approach to oral health access.
Area of Science:
- Dental Public Health
- Community Dentistry
- Oral Healthcare Delivery
Background:
- Underserved rural populations, such as those in Appalachia, often face significant barriers to accessing essential dental care.
- There is a need for innovative models to deliver preventive and basic restorative dental services in non-traditional settings.
- Dental public health education plays a crucial role in preparing future professionals for community-based initiatives.
Purpose of the Study:
- To educate future dental hygienists in providing primary dental care within non-traditional settings.
- To offer preventive and simple restorative dental services to an underserved rural Appalachian community.
- To evaluate the effectiveness and student reception of an extramural community dental health program.
Main Methods:
- Senior dental hygiene students participated in an extramural clinical rotation.
- Services were delivered in pairs under dentist supervision using a mobile dental unit.
- The program focused on preventive oral healthcare and simple restorative procedures.
Main Results:
- Ninety-eight hours of preventive and simple restorative care were provided.
- Student evaluations of the extramural clinical experience were positive.
- The program successfully offered accessible oral health services to a low-income, rural population.
Conclusions:
- The program effectively trained dental hygienists in community-based care delivery.
- Collaborative, community-centered approaches can successfully address oral health disparities.
- This model demonstrates a viable strategy for improving dental access in underserved areas.