Women's economic empowerment, participation in decision-making and exposure to violence as risk indicators for early childhood caries.

OBJECTIVES: In view of the association between early childhood caries (ECC])and maternal social risk factors, this study tried to determine if there were associations between indicators of processes, outputs and outcomes of women's empowerment, and the prevalence of ECC. METHODS: In this ecological study, indicators measuring the explanatory variables - economic empowerment, decision-making and violence against women - were selected from the Integrated Results and Resources Framework of the UN-Women Strategic Plan 2018-2021 and WHO database. Indicators measuring the outcome variables - the prevalence of ECC for children aged 0 to 2 years, and 3 to 5 years - were extracted from a published literature. The general linear models used to determine the association between the outcome and explanatory variables were adjusted for economic level of countries. Regression estimates (B), 95% confidence intervals and partial eta squared (η2) were calculated. RESULTS: Countries with more females living under 50% of median income had higher prevalence of ECC for 3 to 5-year olds (B = 1.82, 95% CI = 0.12, 3.52). Countries with higher percentage of women participating in their own health care decisions had higher prevalence of ECC for 0 to 2-year-olds (B = 0.85, 95% CI = 0.03, 1.67). Countries with higher percentage of women participating in decisions related to visiting family, relatives and friends had higher prevalence of ECC for 3 to 5-year-olds (B = 0.67, 95% CI = 0.03, 1.32). None of the indicators for violence against women was significantly associated with the prevalence of ECC. CONCLUSION: Empowerment of women is a welcome social development that may have some negative impact on children's oral health. Changes in policies and norms are needed to protect children's oral health while empowering women.

Creating an anti-ableist learning environment: Development of a novel disability-related microaggressions session for medical and dental students and mixed methods analysis of impact on learning and empowerment.

BACKGROUND: Disability-related microaggressions are unique among microaggressions in the assumptions they reflect and the verbal and non-verbal forms they take. They impact patients and providers alike. Yet, medical and dental students are not routinely educated about disability-related microaggressions. A medical school student-faculty team harnessed Kern's six-step curriculum design process to co-produce a novel 90-min educational intervention centered on recognizing and responding to disability-related microaggressions. The session was piloted in February 2022 as a required element of the school's mandatory professional development training for first-year medical and dental students. OBJECTIVE: This mixed-methods study examined session impact on student-reported learning pertinent to addressing and mitigating disability-related microaggressions. METHODS: Voluntary surveys were distributed to all first-year students to capture pre-/post-session self-assessment of knowledge, skills, and comfort, as well as post-session reflection on lessons learned. Quantitative data was analyzed using summary statistics, unpaired t-tests, and Mann Whitney U tests; qualitative data was analyzed using a hybrid inductive-deductive approach. RESULTS: Survey response rate was 61 % (100/164) pre-session and 25 % (41/164) post-session. Post-session, there was significantly increased student agreement with statements addressing microaggressions knowledge, comfort teaching others, and strategies to support disability-sensitive workplaces. Post-session narrative reflections revealed learning within five themes: nature of microaggressions, identifying microaggressions, preventing microaggressions, responding to microaggressions, and medical student empowerment. Ninety-three percent of post-session respondents (38/41) agreed the session empowered them to actively contribute to anti-ableist learning environments. CONCLUSIONS: The pilot educational intervention provides a promising strategy to foster anti-ableism and advocacy among first-year medical/dental students. While limited by low response rate, small sample size, participant self-selection for survey participation, and unlinked individual pre- and post-session responses, mixed methods analysis suggests the session had a positive impact on student action-oriented knowledge and empowerment.

Finding the person behind caries disease: The dental caregivers' experiences of empowering patients to implement beneficial behavioral changes.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to elucidate dental professionals' experiences of how to empower patients at risk of developing new or additional caries to promote caries-related preventive behavioral changes. METHODS: Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted, audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and subjected to qualitative content analysis. To provide credibility and high-quality data, participant recruitment followed strategic sampling. The 10 participants included nine women and one man; six participants were dentists, and four were dental hygienists. In the data analysis, five descriptive and five strategic themes emerged that formed an overarching theme: Finding the person behind caries disease. RESULTS: The results indicated that by initially getting to know the person behind the patient, trusting relationships and knowledge can be generated to successfully influence patients' behaviors related to caries. The five descriptive themes included: Building a treatment alliance, Understanding habitual patterns, Motivating for changes, Implementing new behaviors, and Preserving behavioral improvements. The descriptive themes each revealed a strategy theme containing several strategy proposals for initiating and supporting caries-preventing behavioral changes. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the importance of establishing a treatment alliance to improve the patient's skills, knowledge, and motivation. It underscores the significance of recognizing the individual behind the patient, to facilitate optimal behavior change at the lowest possible level of treatment. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Our findings could assist in strengthening caries-related health promotion, caries prevention, and understanding of oral health literacy techniques.

Reexamining dental outreach programs: A model for local empowerment and sustainable development.

BACKGROUND: To address the inadequacy of oral health care in developing nations, outreach programs have facilitated the provision of dental services by foreign volunteers to areas of need. However, the effectiveness of the current aid model on the long-term well-being of the recipient population and sustainability of efforts remains uncertain. The authors examine the strengths and areas of improvement of outreach initiatives to inform a reorientation of the aid model. METHODS: The authors conducted a PubMed search and reviewed included articles to assess the current limitations and recommended strategies for outreach programs. The identified limitations and strategies were sorted into 4 key areas of change and organized using the Theory of Change framework to inform an improved aid model. RESULTS: The current aid models were found to have limitations in scope and coverage, interventions that were not applicable or integrated into local systems, and an inadequate evidence base. To address these limitations, efforts should be directed at the capacity building of local workers through individual training and evidence-based interventions, improved understanding of local contexts, and integration and alignment with local systems. CONCLUSIONS: The empowerment of local communities is critical in ensuring an effective and sustainable aid model in developing nations. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: By adopting an improved aid model, outreach programs can enhance the long-term access and availability of quality oral health care that is delivered by local providers and communities.

Barriers and facilitators for adolescent girls to take on adult responsibility for dental care - a qualitative study.

Purpose: This study aims to explore and describe experiences of the dental care system among adolescent dental patients with a recent history of missed dental appointments at public dental clinics (PDCs) in a Swedish county. Methods: Twelve adolescent girls participated in the study. Data were collected by individual, semi-structured, open-ended interviews and analysed with qualitative content analysis. Results: The study findings could be summed into the theme "Triggers for adolescent girls to take on or not take on adult responsibility for dental care". The experience of free dental care could be summarized in five main categories: Pain and discomfort; Attractive and healthy teeth; Feeling safe and secure; Taking on the responsibility; and Free of charge. These five categories consisted of 15 subcategories. Conclusions: The results of this study should increase the knowledge on how to meet and treat adolescent girls in dental care. Knowing what will happen during the dental visit was highlighted by the participants as decisive to whether or not they would attend their dental appointments. Therefore, we should as far as possible ensure that our patients feel safe at their dental visits and by trying to avoid painful treatments.

Experiencia del programa de educación en salud bucal dirigido a personas mayores. Universidad CES, Medellín - Colombia 2019 / Experience of the oral health education program aimed at the elderly. Universidad CES, Medellín - Colombia 2019

Objetivo: describir la experiencia de educación en promoción y prevención en salud bucal desarrollada con un grupo de adultos mayores que participan en el programa "Vecinos Saludables", del Hospital Pablo Tobón Uribe de la ciudad de Medellín. Métodos: se implementaron tres etapas, la primera para definir los temas, la segunda para la ejecución y la última, para evaluar la percepción de los participantes. Resultados: 30 adultos mayores asistieron a 6 talleres participativos en salud bucal. El 40% del grupo usaba, al menos, una prótesis total y el 65% algún tipo de prótesis parcial. El 77% había sentido alguno de los síntomas que podrían asociarse con disminución de cantidad de saliva en la boca y el 56,6% mencionó que con frecuencia tenía dificultades para masticar o al tragar. La percepción del programa realizado por parte de los adultos mayores fue muy positiva; en términos generales, comprendieron que el envejecimiento no implicaba desinterés en el cuidado del cuerpo y la boca. Conclusiones: la implementación de actividades lúdicas educativas con adultos mayores favorece su empoderamiento con la salud bucal y el interés por mantenerse sanos, lo cual repercute de forma positiva en su calidad de vida.

Objective: To describe the experience of education in promotion and prevention in oral health developed with a group of older adults who participate in the "Healthy Neighbors" program at the Pablo Tobón Uribe Hospital in the city of Medellín. Methods: There were implemented three stages. The first to define the topics. The second for the execution, and the last one to evaluate the participants' perceptions. Results: 30 older adults attended six participatory workshops on oral health. 40% of the group used at least one total prosthesis and 65% some partial prosthesis types. 77% had felt any of the symptoms could be associated with a decrease in the saliva amount, and 56.6% mentioned that they frequently had difficulty chewing or swallowing. The perception of the program carried out by the elderly was very positive; in general terms, they understood that aging did not imply neglecting the care of the body and mouth. Conclusions: The implementation of educational and recreational activities with older adults favors their empowerment with oral health and interest in staying healthy has a positive impact on their quality of life.

Empoderamento da saúde bucal em famílias assistidas pelo Projeto Saúde Criança, através dos guias de saúde bucal materno infantil da Global Child Dental FUND / Empowerment of oral health in families assisted by the Saúde Criança Project, through the Global Child Dental FUND's maternal and child oral health guides

A saúde bucal é resultante e do bem-estar físico, mental e social e é nesse contexto que a cavidade oral se torna um órgão a ser preservado devido a sua importância nas mais variadas funções que a boca desempenha. Trata-se de um estudo observacional e descritivo de natureza quantitativa. A amostra foram famílias assistidas pela Organização Não Governamental (ONG) Saúde Criança. Foram realizados dois encontros onde foi utilizado um questionário sobre conhecimentos de saúde bucal elaborado pela própria equipe, após o preenchimento dele foi realizada uma palestra sobre saúde bucal junto ao manuseio do guia de saúde bucal materno infantil da Global Child Dental Fund. Os resultados demonstraram que através de palestras de saúde bucal associadas a guias de saúde bucal apresentaram uma melhora na aquisição e retenção de conhecimentos sobre saúde bucal. Concluindo que havendo certa frequência e consistência nos conhecimentos passados aos grupos, o conhecimento é fixado e, através deles, a educação em saúde é multiplicada para a família, propagando prevenção e a longo prazo, evitando novos adoecimentos. (AU)

Oral health is necessary for physical, mental and social well-being and it is in this context that the oral cavity becomes an organ and remains preserved due to its importance in the most varied variables that the mouth plays. The aim of the present study was to verify oral health education based on the Global Child Dental Fund's oral health guides. can improve levels of retention of knowledge about oral health when its content is presented with a certain frequency and accessible form. This is an observational and descriptive study of a quantitative nature. Sample of families assisted by the Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Saúde Criança (n = 157). Two meetings were held with an interval of at least 3 months. A questionnaire on knowledge of oral health elaborated by the team was used that addressed several subjects within the area of oral hygiene, after completing a lecture on oral health together with the handling of the child oral health guide of the Global Child Dental Fund. The results showed that, through oral health lectures, they are applied to the guides, as families that had an improvement in the acquisition and retention of knowledge about oral health. Concluding that with a certain frequency and consistency in the knowledge passed on to groups, the knowledge is fixed and, through them, health education is multiplied by a family, spreading prevention and in the long run, avoiding new illnesses. (AU)