Association Between Health-Related Beliefs and Oral Health Behaviors Among Uninsured Primary Care Patients. (July 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kamimura, Akiko; Gull, Bethany; Weaver, Shannon; Wright, Lindsey; Ashby, Jeanie; Erickson, Lea E.
• Is Part Of: Journal of primary care & community health. Volume 8:Number 3(2017:Jul.)
• Page Start: 115
• Page End: 121
• Publication Date: 2017-07
• Subjects: perceived needs for dental treatment -- oral health behaviors -- self-reported general health -- medically uninsured -- safety-net; Primary health care -- Periodicals; Primary health care -- United States -- Periodicals; Community health services -- Periodicals; Community health services -- United States -- Periodicals; 362.12
• DOI: 10.1177/2150131916680887
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2150-1319

Abstract

Introduction: The collaborations between dental care providers and other health care providers are especially needed for underserved populations. There is a deficit of research focused on underserved populations who utilize a safety net facility such as a free clinic in the United States. The purpose of this study is to examine the association between health-related beliefs and oral health behaviors among uninsured adults utilizing a primary care free clinic providing oral health care.Methods: Uninsured primary care patients utilizing a free clinic (N = 585) participated in a self-administered paper survey in May and June, 2016.Results: More than 60% of free clinic patients reported a perceived need for dental treatment. Free clinic patients who brush their teeth more than once a day reported better perceived general health compared with those who do not brush their teeth more than once a day. Free clinic patients who had perceived a need for dental treatment reported worse perceived general health compared to those who did not report dental needs.Conclusions: The results of this study indicate a pressing need for the further development of dental care services at safety-net clinics. By including dental care in health promotion programs, it will have positive impacts not only on oral health but also on a healthy lifestyle and the general health of underserved populations utilizing a safety-net clinic. The implementation and evaluation of the integrated health programs, which include primary care and oral health care together, would be beneficial to reduce oral health disparities.