Barriers To Attending A Dental Health Education Program By Head Start Parents
SUSAN PHARR
Advisor, Diane B. Wilson, Ed.D., R.D.
Preceptor, Ronald J. Hunt, D.D.S., M.S.
Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the barriers, and factors associated with those barriers, for parents of Head Start children in Chesterfield County to attend a children’s dental health education program.
Methods: This was a descriptive study, using a self-administered, anonymous questionnaire. It was sent home to approximately 180 parents/caretakers of currently enrolled Head Start children in Chesterfield County by way of the child, and returned in the same manner. The 4 sections of the questionnaire sought information regarding dental background of the child and the parent, demographic characteristics, barriers for attendance, and the parent’s beliefs regarding the importance of dental health, using the Health Belief Model as a framework. Data analysis, using SPSS software, provided descriptive statistics, and associations between categorical variables using Chi-Square test of independence.
Results: With a 35% overall response rate, 6% of parents reported ever attending a dental health education class. Parents reported that the main barriers for attending a dental health class are: time of program (3 5%), child care (15%), and transportation (13%). Utilization of preventive dental care services by the children as reported by the parents was higher than expected. Approximately 87% of the children had a dental visit within the last year, compared with only 53% of adults; with 82% of these children receiving preventive services at their last visit. Parents perceived the severity/seriousness of the disease, but did not perceive that their child was susceptible to tooth decay.
Conclusion: Barriers to attending a dental health program are consistent with barriers to parental attendance at other health-related programs, and consistent with several nonfinancial barriers to receiving dental care for this population. Race was associated with the time of program as a barrier. Language was associated with child-care as a baffler. Parents with higher education levels were more likely to not have time to attend a program. Program planning could address the issues of time of program and child-care needs. However, policy should reflect other means with which to provide this population the dental health information that they need to prevent dental disease in their children.
