Objectives: To determine oral health literacy levels among Hispanic adults living in Iowa, and assess the relationship between oral health literacy and dental utilization. Methods: This cross-sectional study included a convenience sample of self-identifying Hispanic/Latino adults. Participants were recruited via mass email, word of mouth, and from faith-based organizations that provided church services in Spanish. Participants were recruited from urban and rural communities in Central and Eastern Iowa. Participants were asked to complete a questionnaire, in either English or Spanish, that contained questions pertaining to: oral health literacy, dental utilization, acculturation, language proficiency, demographic information, country of origin, number of years living in the United States, and preferences pertaining to the characteristics of their dental providers (e.g. importance of dentist to be able to speak Spanish). Oral health literacy was assessed using the Comprehensive Measure of Oral Health Knowledge (Macek and colleagues). Oral health knowledge levels were categorized as low (0-14) or high (15-23). Dental utilization was defined as visiting a dental provider within the past 12 months or more than 12 months ago. Bivariate analyses were conducted using the Chi-square test with oral health knowledge and dental utilization being the two main outcome variables. Multiple logistic regression models were created to identify the variables related to low oral health knowledge irregular dental utilization. Statistical significance was set as p<0.05. IRB approval was obtained prior to conducting the study. Results: Three hundred thirty-eight participants completed the questionnaire. Sixty-seven percent of participants (n=228) completed the questionnaire in Spanish. The mean oral health knowledge score was 14 (low knowledge =51% vs. high knowledge = 49%). Thirty-five percent reported visiting the dentist <12 months ago. Bivariate analyses revealed that the following respondents were more likely to have low oral health knowledge (p<0.05): being older (i.e. 55-71 years of age), male, self-reporting low health literacy, having less than a high-school education, earning ≤$25,000, not having dental insurance, having low acculturation, being born outside of the United States, preferring a dental provider who speaks Spanish, perceiving one’s oral health to be fair/poor/or not knowing the status of one’s oral health, seeking dental care someplace other than a private dental office, and being more likely to seek care for a problem related visit rather than routine care. Having low oral health knowledge was statistically significantly associated visiting a dentist >12 months ago. Many other variables were also associated (p<;0.05) with infrequent dental utilization: low health literacy, being male, having <12th grade degree or a high school diploma, earning ≤$25,000, not having dental insurance, having low acculturation, reporting fewer years living in the United States, preferring a dental provider who speaks Spanish, perceiving one’s oral health to be fair/poor/or not knowing the status of one’s oral health, and seeking dental care someplace other than a private dental office. Final logistic regression analyses indicated that having less than a 12th grade education, lack of dental insurance, and a preference for receiving care from a Spanish speaking dental provider were associated with low oral health literacy. Furthermore, final logistic regression results predicting irregular dental utilization demonstrated that the following variables were statistically significant: being male, earning ≤$25,000 per year, not having dental insurance and having a history of tooth decay. Conclusion: Dental utilization and oral health knowledge appear to be associated. Patients with low oral health literacy may be less likely to utilize dental care, thus decreasing the opportunity to increase dental knowledge. Dental teams should recognize which patients are more likely to have low oral health literacy and provide dental education in patients’ preferred language.

Dental caries is the main reason for placement and replacement of restorations (Keene, 1981). More than 60 percent of dentists' restorative time is spent replacing existing restorations. The replacement of restorations can result in a cavity preparation larger than its predecessor which leads to weakening of the remaining tooth structure (Mjör, 1993). Considering the traditional surgical dental caries management philosophy, it was based on "extension for prevention" and restorative material needs rather than on preserving the healthy tooth structure (Black, 1908). In the 1970s, the surgical dental paradigm began shifting to a new approach for caries management: Minimally Invasive Dentistry (MID). It was based on the medical model that prioritizes caries risk assessment, early caries detection, remineralization of tooth structure, and especially preservation of tooth structure through minimal intervention in the placement and replacement of restorations (Yamaga et al, 1972). The minimal intervention paradigm emphasizes use of adhesive restorative materials in order to minimize the size of cavity preparation (Murdoch-Kinch & McLean, 2003). Hence, a cross-sectional study using an online survey instrument (30-item) was conducted among National Network for Oral Health Access (NNOHA) and American Association Community Dental Programs (AACDP) members. Besides demographics, the survey addressed the following items using a 5-point Likert scale: knowledge, attitudes and behavior concerning MID among general practitioners. Specific questions focused on practitioner and practice characteristics, previous training and knowledge of MID, knowledge use of restorative, diagnostic and preventive techniques and whether MID was considered to meet the standard of care in the U.S., which was the main outcome of the study. Chi-square, Fisher's exact test, Wilcoxon rank-sum test, and two-Sample t-test were used to identify factors associated with beliefs that MID meets the standard of care. Overall, 86% believed MID met the standard of care for primary teeth, and 77% believed this for permanent teeth. The study found that those with more favorable opinions of fluoride to be more likely to believe MID met the standard of care, but no demographic or practice characteristics were associated MID standard of care beliefs.

Patient-centred care is the gold standard of health care, yet in practice, problems prevail. The use of the ‘expert patient’ in health professional education is one form of learning patient-centred care. A gap in the literature regarding how the use of ‘expert patient’ in health professional education promotes patient-centred care was acknowledged in current research. With Queen’s University Health Sciences & Affiliated Teaching Hospitals Research Ethics Board approval, a sample of Queen’s University MScOT students participated in a qualitative study with the following research question: “How does the students’ experience of interacting with the ‘expert patient’ (‘XP’) relate to learning regarding client-centred practice (CCP)?” Three objectives were proposed: 1. Describe the OT students’ experience of interacting with the ‘expert patient’, 2. Describe the students’ learning regarding client-centered practice, 3. Identify the conditions particular to the ‘expert patient’ experience that led to learning regarding client-centered practice. In-depth interviews were conducted with the students subsequent to their ‘expert patient’ experience. Analysis revealed three conditions that together provided the foundation for student experiential learning regarding client-centred practice: interaction with particular persons with stable disability known as ‘expert patients’; students’ requirement to evaluate them and thus ‘experience power’; and explicit opportunities for ‘directed reflection and discussion’. Questions were raised for researchers, health care professional educators and health care professionals regarding the potentially transformative nature of engaging in unfamiliar contexts with openness to learning. The thesis allowed insight into the lived experience of OT students learning with ‘expert patients’; the admiration, discomfort, humility and gratefulness they experienced while gaining a sense of the meaning of collaboration, respect for autonomy and recognition of expertise. Implications of the research impact all stakeholders in health professional education. / Thesis (Master, Rehabilitation Science) -- Queen's University, 2013-04-05 00:18:04.617

The purpose of this study was to describe the experiences and perceptions of two female obstetrician-gynecologists in their world of academic and clinical medicine. Significant to this dissertation is the complex issue of gender. The theoretical and research perspectives were (1) gender discrimination in the education of girls; (2) feminism in the medical school and the medical workplace; and (3) the literature of caring and connectiveness as it is related to the field of medicine. My prior pilot study and research for my gender issues course I taught in medical school were the deciding factors that initiated this richer dissertation study. The case study approach was used in this ethnographic research, and with my role as participant and a non-participant observer, I conducted multiple observations of participants, wrote field notes and conducted three semi-structured interviews with each participant. I analyzed the data inductively, and then made a cross-case analysis of the variables I found for my study. The findings from this study reveal the importance of family, husbands, and significant others in their continued support of their professional careers. Both participants had positive experiences in their early schooling and supportive mentors in their medical careers. They also agreed that relationships and interactions with patients are the most important aspects of their specialty, and that women doctors "listen more"; however, they believe that the environment plays a role in these differences related to gender. The biggest challenge perceived by the academic physician is the hostility of a system that does not recognize diversity or values of the female doctors who work in the system. She diagnoses this system as unhealthy and inflexible to both male and female physicians. The biggest challenge perceived by the married woman physician revolved around her juggling of family and professional concerns. The significant findings from the theoretical and historical perspectives relative to this study, braided with the insights voiced by the two physicians, strongly suggest a need for curricula and pedagogical restructuring related to feminist knowledge in both our medical institutions and our educational institutions.

The master’s degree job is on topic Dental Diseases Prevention Presumptions in a Schoolchildren Population. The object of this job is health care education. The purpose of this research is to evaluate dental diseases prevention presumptions in a schoolchildren population. The main tasks are: 1) to review health care education literature, 2) to evaluate children oral health status and need for dental prevention, 3) to analyze community health care specialists abilities realizable dental diseases prevention in schools, 4) to suggest some recommendations for dental prevention organization in schools. The review of literature has shown that in organization of dental diseases prevention should take part different institutions: government, municipalities, health care centers, schools and families. A prevalence of dental diseases will decline if all those institutions will interfere in organization and realization of prevention. It was examined the state of mouth and teeth of 3838 6-10 years old children in 47 Panevėžys children gardens and schools. The epidemiological survey has shown, that only 22 percent children has healthy teeth, and 78 percent children need dental treatment. There are a lot of 6-10 years old children with permanent teeth that are needed a sealing pits and fissures and a big amount are needed treatment. Oral hygiene status is not good for 41 percent of examined children. Children often need a consultation of dental specialists – orthodontist, oral surgeon... [to full text]

Thesis (M.S.P.H.)--University of Michigan, 1942.

Thesis (M.S.P.H.)--University of Michigan, 1942.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1995.

No description available.

This master thesis deals with finding level of knowledge about healthy lifestyle and evaluating eating habits among adolescent boys studying at technical colleges. The work consists of two main parts, the theoretical and the research (practical). The theoretical part is focused on defining the major concepts and characteristics of adolescence, the teaching health education at secondary schools and recommendations in terms of movement and supplements to adolescent age. The research part focuses on the evaluation of knowledge regarding the health and eating habits of the above sample. The results were compared with those already available findings from previous studies. It was managed to collect 134 completed tests of knowledge regarding to health and physical activity and their associated questionnaires about dietary habits. Based on the results of the knowledge test, it was found that the average results reached zone below average. Furthermore, on the basis of evaluation of research assumptions, it was found that higher health knowledge does not affect the optimal body weight. Education in the field of eating disorders is probably insufficient. As apparent from certain results, health education should always find its place in the curriculum so that pupils receive a sufficient amount of information to be encouraging to find another informations by themselves on their own initiative.