NCJ Number
73128
Journal
Dental Assistant Volume: 48 Issue: 1 Dated: (January/February 1979) Pages: 16-19
Date Published
1979
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article describes the development and evaluation of an intensive dental health education program begun by the Nashville Dental Assistants Society in 1976 for residents of the Tennessee Prison for Women in Nashville, Tenn.
Abstract
Fifty-five percent of the population of 200 inmates, representing all educational, social, and economic backgrounds, was in need of prophylaxis. Almost half needed some type of prosthodontic treatment, and more than half needed some type of oral surgery. The overall goal of the program was to change the dental health status of any persons who desired such change. As a result of the program, participants were expected to demonstrate proper brushing and flossing techniques, understand the causes of dental disease, and demonstrate an improvement in their plaque indices within a 3-month period. Following an orientation session, a questionnaire was distributed to inmates in organized meetings to promote the program, and a public health dentist examined the 52 interested women during a screening clinic. Participants then attended three workshop sessions which stressed the participatory method of learning and focused on dental skills, daily home-care techniques, and the prevention of dental disease. Evaluation of the program participation in which 35 women successfully completed the workshops was viewed as significant when compared with other voluntary programs. The dental assistants and the prison health educator felt that specific outcome objectives had been reached. However, the oral hygiene and periodontal indices were somewhat disappointing. Some program results included the sale of dental floss and sugarless gum in the commissary, compilation of a list of program participants to be given to the prison dentist, and improved confidence of dental assistants in discussing oral hygiene techniques with their private patients.