Brushing and Flossing Away Tooth Decay: The Importance of Oral Health in Low Income

AdolescentsGwendolyn Kuzmishin, Albert Darling, & Christina Labib

Health Professions Affinity Community, The College of Wooster

Abstract

Introduction•  Wayne County has an economically disadvantaged

population.•  12.4% of households are below the poverty line. •  Average per capita income is $23,061.•  80% of residents have not graduated from college. •  73% of students at Cornerstone Elementary are

classified as “economically disadvantaged.”•  70% of students at Cornerstone Elementary

receive subsidized school lunches.•  21% of children have dental cavities in their permanent

teeth.•  8% of children have untreated tooth decay

•  The NIH reports that these numbers are even higher in children in low incomes areas.

•  23% of children in Wooster have never been to a dentist.

•  The City of Wooster and surrounding areas in Wayne County do not have fluorinated water

•  For these reasons, Wayne County is more susceptible to poor oral health outcomes compared to other areas of Ohio.

ObjectiveTo improve oral health outcomes in Wooster, Ohio, by emphasizing the importance of preventive oral health care in adolescents.

Specific AimsTo inspire children to implement good oral hygiene habits that will follow them into adulthood. •  Design and implement fun and engaging activities that teach

children about the importance of proper oral hygiene.•  Design and distribute oral hygiene goodie bags that include

an oral health fact sheet and other oral hygiene basics: toothbrushes, toothpaste, fluoride rinse, 2-minute timers and floss.

MethodsScience Day Presentation:•  Designed and implemented various experiments and exercises

aimed at teaching children about the importance of oral health.•  Egg Experiment: Two eggs are placed in vinegar; one that has been soaked in fluoride and one that has not. The egg that has not been soaked in fluoride begins to break down, whereas the fluoride treated egg remains intact. This simulates the effect of acid on teeth and demonstrates the importance of fluoride.•  Brushing Isn’t Enough Demo: A black light and simulated germ solution was used to demonstrate how brushing teeth alone is not enough to rid one’s mouth of germs. Flossing and rinsing are just as important as brushing. •  Coloring: Children were provided coloring pages that contained useful information and facts about oral hygiene.•  Goodie Bags: Each child was given a goodie bag containing an information sheet, toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, rinse, and a two-minute sand timer.

Conclusion

Contents of oral health goodie bags.

Children observing the egg experiment and learning about the effect of acid on teeth.

Display used to teach children the proper way to brush teeth.

•  On Science Day, we interacted with over 150 children of various ages. We also spoke with approximately 100 parents.

•  Passed out over 150 oral health goodie bags.•  Children actively participated and answered questions.

•  Children were asked to make predictions, think critically, and draw conclusions about the various demonstrations.

•  Children were excited to brush their teeth and use their two-minute timers. Many children also expressed that they were excited to “brush in between their teeth” with floss.

•  Parents gave positive feedback to our presentation and mentioned that they think it would help to instill good oral hygiene habits in their children.

•  We were interviewed by the local newspaper who is excited to cover us on our next project at Cornerstone Elementary School in a few weeks.

•  Positive feedback from all parties and increased enthusiasm in participants indicates that this exercise was successful.

Future Work•  Implement bi-weekly afterschool program at

Cornerstone Elementary School.•  Provide children with oral health journals and stickers

to track their progress.•  Collaborate with a local dentist to design a program for

middle and high schools.•  Collaborate with local free clinic to provide oral health

support to low income families.•  Donate oral hygiene products to local shelter and the

Wooster Tent City.

ReferencesDental Caries (Tooth Decay) in Children (Age 2 to 11)." Dental Caries (Tooth Decay) in Children (Age 2 to 11). N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Apr. 2015.“Oral Health.” WHO. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Apr. 2015."Pages - School-Report." Pages - School-Report. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Apr. 2015."Treatment Needs in Children (2 to 11)." Treatment Needs in Children (2 to 11). N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Apr. 2015."United States Census Bureau." Wayne County QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Apr. 2015.

AcknowledgementsWe thank the following for their financial support:•  AmeriCorps for donating the supplies for the goodie

bags.•  The College of Wooster Physics Club for purchasing

the products needed to conduct the experiments. •  The Wooster Community Hospital for lending us a

black light and simulated germ solution. Thank you to the following for support and guidance throughout this process:•  Cornerstone Elementary School •  Masha Berman – HPAC Mentor

Recent data from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and World Health Organization (WHO) indicate that low income populations are at a higher risk for developing cavities, tooth decay, and a host of other oral health issues than their non-low income counterparts. Census data indicates that Wayne County has a large population of families that are economically disadvantaged. The purpose of our project, therefore, was to improve oral health outcomes in Wooster, Ohio, by emphasizing the importance of preventive oral health care in children. The rationale for this project is that early intervention and the establishment of good oral hygiene habits can prevent the onset of oral health problems such as cavities and tooth decay; health problems that are expensive and difficult to treat, especially for a low income family. We achieved this goal by designing and implementing a presentation at our College’s annual science day and were successful in engaging over 150 adolescents and 100 adults.