Nourishing Smiles: Challenges and Lessons Learned from Implementing an Interprofessional School-based Oral Health and Nutrition Literacy Program for Adolescents
Increasing autonomy and potential engagement in risky health behaviors during adolescence creates a critical time for oral health and nutrition health promotion. A Social Cognitive Theory-based oral health promotion program was developed and piloted in an under-resourced urban high school. The progr...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
New Prairie Press
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Health Behavior Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://newprairiepress.org/hbr/vol7/iss4/1/ |
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| Summary: | Increasing autonomy and potential engagement in risky health behaviors during adolescence creates a critical time for oral health and nutrition health promotion. A Social Cognitive Theory-based oral health promotion program was developed and piloted in an under-resourced urban high school. The program was designed to improve health literacy regarding oral health, nutrition, and risky health behaviors that influence oral health through didactic lessons and interactive in-class group activities. In this pilot study, twenty-four students participated and completed both pre-/post-program surveys (mean age=15.6 years [SD=0.97], 63% female; 75% Black; 46% food insecure). Over one-third (38%) of students had not visited a dentist in the past year (67% male; 56% Black, 44% food insecure). While health literacy slightly increased from pre- to post-program, the increase was not significant. The limited positive findings may be related to small sample size in this pilot, as well as implementation challenges that occurred: lack of partnership buy-in, turnover and vacancies, scheduling conflicts, low attendance, and available but inaccessible dental care. Lessons learned from the challenges can inform future program planning and implementation. |
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| ISSN: | 2572-1836 |