Oral Health Intervention for Low-Income African American Men in Atlanta, Georgia

Am J Public Health. 2017 May;107(S1):S104-S110. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2017.303760.

Abstract

Objectives: To describe the Minority Men's Oral Health Dental Access Program (MOHDAP) intervention and report participants' outcomes and satisfaction.

Methods: MOHDAP was designed to increase the oral health knowledge of low-income, African American men in Atlanta, GA, in 2013. A community-based participatory approach and needs assessment guided the intervention development, which consisted of 3 educational modules delivered over a 2-day period. All participants (n = 45; mean age = 50 years) were African American men. We assessed changes in oral health knowledge and attitudes at baseline and postintervention via survey.

Results: After the intervention, the percentage of correct responses to questions about gingivitis increased by 24.2% (P = .01), about use of a hard (instead of a soft) toothbrush increased by 42.2% (P < .01), and knowledge of ways to prevent gum diseases increased by 16.0% (P = .03). The percentage agreeing with erroneous statements decreased 11.3% (P = .02) regarding oral health-related fatalism and oral health self-care and 17.4% (P = .05) regarding saving front versus back teeth.

Conclusions: Community-based oral health educational interventions designed for African American men may reduce oral health disparities among this population.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Black or African American / statistics & numerical data*
  • Community-Based Participatory Research / methods
  • Georgia
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
  • Health Promotion / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Minority Health
  • Oral Health / education*
  • Poverty*
  • Self Care
  • Surveys and Questionnaires