Participants should be aware of the following financial/non-financial relationships: . Heather M. Lawler, RDH, MSDH: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.. Christine Farrell, RDH, BSDH, MPA: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.. Mark Fitzgerald, DDS, MS: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.. Darlene Jones, RDH, MPA: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.. Jennifer Cullen, RDH, MPH: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.
Abstract: Purpose/Objectives: Studies have shown a significant relationship between low oral health literacy (OHL) and poor oral health outcomes. National calls for action include better training of dental providers to meet the needs of the low OHL public. The purpose of this research was to determine the extent OHL education is being included in US dental hygiene (DH) education programs. Methods: A 20-item digital survey was sent to 321 CODA accredited DH schools in the US. Results: Survey generated 90 eligible responses (28%). Respondents reported that OHL education is being included in DH curricula to some degree. Communication strategies (82.4%) were the most likely OHL concept to be taught. Subject areas included community health (89%), cultural competency (78%), and special populations (78%). Less than half of respondents rated graduates competent in understanding language as a determinant of health (45.8%) and linking low OHL to poor health outcomes (44.6%). Respondents ranked lack of assessment instrument, lack of concrete activities, lack of clear understanding of OHL, and difficulty in implementing OHL concepts as the top barriers to incorporating OHL education in the DH curriculum. Conclusion(s): OHL is an established determinant of oral health. As prevention and patient education experts, dental hygienists play an important role in improving patient OHL. More fully integrating OHL into DH curricula would provide future DHs with the training needed to improve oral health outcomes and would better align DH education programs with national OHL initiatives. Key Words: oral health literacy, dental hygiene curricula, oral hygiene, dental
Source of Funding: None
Affiliations: University of Michigan Cabrillo College
