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

Designed to address oral health disparities in low-income African American men in Atlanta, GA.
Led by a team including LaShawn M. Hoffman, Latrice Rollins, Tabia Henry Akintobi, etc.
Objectives:
- To describe the MOHDAP intervention.
- To report outcomes and participant satisfaction.

Launched in 2013, MOHDAP aimed to increase oral health knowledge among African American men.
Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR): A collaborative approach involving community members as equal partners in decision-making and implementation.
Previous studies showed that African American men face significant oral health disparities:
- Higher rates of untreated tooth decay compared to White men.
- Highest rates of oral cavity and pharyngeal cancers among racial/ethnic groups.
- Increasing mortality rates from oral cancer despite declining incidence rates in other groups.

Addresses a gap in existing literature regarding oral health interventions specifically directed at African American men.
Emphasizes culturally relevant health education increasing awareness and self-care.

Oral health is a leading indicator in the Healthy People 2020 initiative;
- Decline in adult dental visits noted.
- Documented racial and ethnic disparities in oral health services.

Participants: 45 African American men, average age 50 years.
Content Delivery: 3 educational modules over 2 days.
**Focus Areas:
- Gingivitis and its management
- Importance of hard toothbrushes
- Preventing gum diseases**
Survey used to assess changes in knowledge and attitudes pre- and post-intervention.

Results on Key Knowledge Areas Pre- and Post-Intervention:
- Knowledge about gingivitis increased by 24.2% (P = 0.01).
- Knowledge on toothbrush hardness increased by 42.2% (P < 0.01).
- Knowledge about preventing gum diseases increased by 16% (P = 0.03).
Individuals' agreement with misconceptions decreased significantly. Examples:
- Agreement with fatalism in oral health reduced by 11.3% (P = 0.02).
- Misconception that saving front teeth is more important decreased by 17.4% (P = 0.05).

Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR):
- Strengthens partnerships between community and academic entities.
- Enhances engagement in long-term health outcomes.
Health Belief Model (HBM):
- Individuals’ health behaviors are influenced by perceived benefits, barriers, and cues to action arising from their social environment.

Used purposive sampling targeting African American men aged 18+ in specific NPUs of Atlanta.
90 applications received for the MOHDAP ambassador program, with 52 selected based on community involvement.

Module 1: Importance of Oral Health
- Emphasis on connection to overall health, dental terminology.
Module 2: Oral Pathology's Impact on Chronic Diseases
- Discussed the effects on conditions like heart disease.
Module 3: Dental Hygiene Knowledge
- Techniques for brushing and flossing, importance of preventive care.

Sample consisted primarily of African American men:
- Majority (95.6%) identifying as Black/African American.
- 72.2% unemployed/seeking work, 75.6% with an annual income < $25,000.

Majority of participants volunteered for oral evaluations post-intervention, leading to significant clinical findings and treatment needs.
Future interventions may expand on this model, integrating findings into sustained community health strategies.

Small sample size limits generalizability.
Absence of a comparison group raises concerns about the specificity of the findings.

Highlighted the need for continued effort in addressing access to dental care and lack of insurance among vulnerable populations.
Showcases potential for CBPR approaches to facilitate community engagement, leading to improved oral health literacy and access.