Acceptability of a community health worker intervention to improve the oral health of older Chinese Americans: A pilot study

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the acceptability of a community health worker (CHW) intervention designed to improve the oral health of low‐income, urban Chinese immigrant adults. Background Given that both dental caries and periodontitis are behaviourally mediated, biofilm‐based diseases that are largely preventable with attention to regular oral hygiene practices and preventive dental visits, strategies to arrest or even heal carious lesions and high‐quality maintenance care and plaque control without the need to resort to aerosol‐generating surgical approaches are evidence‐based best practices. Older immigrants have poorer oral health than older US‐born natives, motivating the need for delivery of more effective and affordable services to this vulnerable population. Materials and Methods CHWs were trained by the NYU College of Dentistry dental hygienist faculty members using dental models and flip charts to instruct patients on proper brushing and flossing techniques. In addition, they discussed the presented oral health promotion information one‐on‐one with patients, addressed any expressed concerns and encouraged prevention of oral conditions through regular dental visits and brushing with fluoride toothpaste. Results More than 98% of the 74 older Chinese adult participants strongly agreed/agreed that the CHWs helped them to improve how they take care of their health, the CHWs answered their questions and concerns, the information and topics were informative, and the in‐person demonstrations were helpful in improving oral health. Conclusion The health of all communities depends on access to comprehensive care, including oral health care, in the wake of COVID‐19. CHW interventions are acceptable to and may reach marginalised and immigrant communities.

Oral health and healthy ageing: a scoping review

“…Control group: usual care 1.5 mos Not clear Improved SWAL-QoL, increased tongue pressure & reduced oral dryness Lee et al, (2021) [ 103 ] Oral health education via smartphone app developed in this study & via PowerPoint lectures to non-app users. Control group: usual care 1.25 mo Not clear Improved oral health knowledge & perception & reduced dental plaque & tongue coating scores amongsmartphone users Northridge et al, (2021) [ 104 ] Training on proper toothbrushing & flossing techniques. Encouraged regular dental visits & brushing with fluoride toothpaste & addressed any expressed concerns.…”

Saúde bucal e promoção da saúde no envelhecimento: revisão narrativa

“…Alguns artigos defendem que, devido ao estado de saúde de alguns idosos, é necessária a atenção à saúde bucal especializada, ou seja, aquela realizada por profissional odontogeriatra. (Karawekpanyawon, et al, 2022;Northridge et al, 2021;Tenani, et al, 2020;Schimazzaki et al, 2020;Iwasaki et al, 2018;Watanabe et al, 2018;Wright et al, 2017;Castrejón-Perez et al, 2017). Essa condição é ocasionada, geralmente, por doença e falta de acesso a serviços odontológicos.…”

“…(Choi et al, 2021;Lee et al, 2020). Pessoas idosas dependentes apresentam limitações e precisam de assistência de outros na realização de atividades diárias que causam debilidades crônicas e vão se apresentar como barreiras ao tratamento odontológico, levando também à não cooperação do idoso com o cuidado (Kenny et al, 2021;Northridge et al, 2021;Wong et al, 2020;Nomura et al, 2020;Wee et al, 2020;Seo et al, 2019). Dentre esses idosos, muitos ainda possuem dentes e suas necessidades requerem que o prestador de cuidados seja capacitado.…”

The Role of Community Health Workers in Oral Health Promotion and the Impact of their services in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review

“…As such, capacity building the CHWs to provide oral health services could help overcome accessibility, affordability, and acceptability barriers to dental health services in impoverished and marginalised communities. This is further reinforced by a pilot study that demonstrated a higher acceptability for CHWs oral interventions amongst Chinese Americans 39 . Our findings also revealed a higher preference for and satisfaction with CHWs services owing to their proximity within communities and affordability in comparison to formal health services.…”