Evaluation of An Oral Health Education Session for Early Head Start Home Visitors

Objectives Home visiting programs promote the education and health of Early Head Start (EHS) children and pregnant women. However, EHS\u27s oral health component is unevenly implemented. We conducted an educational intervention to improve oral health knowledge and motivational interviewing techniques among Wisconsin EHS home visitors. Methods A questionnaire assessing oral health-related knowledge and confidence was administered to home visitors before and after an educational session. Changes between pre/post-responses were analyzed with McNemar\u27s test and Wilcoxon Signed Rank test. Results After the intervention there were increases in both knowledge and confidence related to oral health communication. Knowledge increases were observed in such topics as fluoridation, dental caries, and caregivers’ role in assisting and supervising children\u27s tooth brushing. Conclusions A brief educational intervention was associated with increased home visitor knowledge and confidence in communicating oral health messages to EHS caregivers and pregnant women

Health Disparities Among African-American and Low-income Children

A panel of local experts will engage in a discussion on health disparities among African-American and low-income children. Featured panelists include: -Dr. Earnestine Willis, Kellner Professor in Pediatrics; Vice Chair in the Department of Pediatrics for Diversity and Inclusion; Director of the Center for the Advancement of Underserved Children in the Department of Pediatrics and her secondary appointment is in the Institute of Health & Equity at the Medical College of Wisconsin -Dr. Darienne Driver, Superintendent of Milwaukee Public Schools -Dr. Dora Clayton-Jones, PhD, RN, Assistant Professor, Marquette University College of Nursing and an adjunct faculty member at the Medical College of Wisconsin -Dr. Abiola Keller, Assistant Professor, Marquette University College of Nursing -Bridget Clementi, Vice President, Community Health, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin -Vivian King, Vice President of Community Relations at Aurora Health Care, will serve as panel moderato