Implementing a Community Engagement Model to Develop a Community-Driven Oral Health Intervention

Abstract

Background Using community-engaged research may result in interventions that reduce infant oral health disparities in underserved populations. Objective Develop community partnerships to create a sustainable infant oral health program that meets specific community-identified needs and provides an interprofessional education experience. Methods Partnering with the Homewood Community Engagement Center, researchers engaged and surveyed key community partners to assess the need for an infant oral health invention. Lessons learned Community-identified organizing principles and barriers became the framework for, "Healthy Teeth, Healthy Me," a community-driven infant oral health program. Barriers, like access to care, were addressed with community-specific solutions like agreements with local dental clinical for referrals. Conclusions Community partnerships can be leveraged to develop oral health programs that fit specific community needs and provide resources to families at greatest risk for child dental caries. Community engagement can be used to modify the intervention to meet oral health needs of other vulnerable communities.