All aboard for healthy smiles

Abstract

Purpose: This educational program was to understand health disparities in Hispanic communities, specifically children and to provide education and access and care to this community. Methods: Search for oral health disparities in this population were found in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention database and the United States Census focusing on Latino and Hispanic populations. A systematic literature review search utilizing the following key words “Oral Health and Hispanics,” “Access,” and “Healthcare”. The demographic of the community is of low income and low access to care. Oral hygiene education was provided to low income, Hispanic children at Aliento de Vida Brethren in Christ in Salina, Kansas. Results: The results connect to practice by educating Hispanic youth on oral hygiene. With primary prevention, the incidence of childhood caries in Hispanic youth may be decreased. Recommendations: This educational program could be followed up in the future with other students by expanding the study to not only children of the Hispanic community, but to the adolescent, adult, and older adult generations. New hands-on activities can be used to enhance learning.