IADR Abstract Archives
Benefits of Recruitment Methodologies: “Passing the Baton” in Educational Research
Objectives: Utilizing the same oral health presentations to 4th graders that helped recruit WV families into the Center for Oral Health Research in Appalachia (R Crout et al JDR 94 (Spec Issue A) # 4141, 2015), a study with the same format/presenter (RC) resulted in significant knowledge acquisition to 4th graders in an elementary school in Florida (R Crout et al, NRHA, 2016). Due to lack of oral health professionals/educators in rural areas, this study will evaluate knowledge acquisition to 4thgraders by a high school senior (HSS) mentored/trained by a dentist (RC) followed by the dentist/ student comparison.
Methods: A HSS was mentored/trained (RC) utilizing earlier Florida study slides/ information followed with 4th graders invited to participate at the same school. The same baseline test, was administered followed by the HSS presenting updated information. Questions included brushing/flossing behavior; tobacco products/ methamphetamine effects; when children should have a first dental visit and familiarity with the findings of the first-ever Surgeon General’s Report on Oral Health including oral disease/systemic connections. Questions were Likert style (1=Strongly Disagree to 5=Strongly Agree).
Results: Of 41 students, 38 (92.6%) filled out questionnaires. Utilizing the Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test for statistical analysis of baseline/posttest differences, the presentation increased baseline brushing time, reasons to brush and floss to more recommended levels in the future (p<0.05). With regard to knowledge acquisition: increased correct agreement was noted for the Surgeon General’s Report on Oral Health (p<0.05), connections of oral health and systemic disease (p<0.01), tobacco/methamphetamine effects, and time for first dental visit (p<0.05). Results further revealed non-significant differences compared to the dentist (p>.05).
Conclusions: A presentation to a 4th grade by a senior mentored/trained by a dentist effectively raised knowledge with non-significant differences compared to the dentists’ presentation. Studies are currently ongoing with the past HSS mentoring/educating a younger HSS student with encouragement by the teachers/ administrators of both the Florida high and elementary schools. This approach may also be usefu in rural areas where there may be a llack of oral health professionals/educators.
Methods: A HSS was mentored/trained (RC) utilizing earlier Florida study slides/ information followed with 4th graders invited to participate at the same school. The same baseline test, was administered followed by the HSS presenting updated information. Questions included brushing/flossing behavior; tobacco products/ methamphetamine effects; when children should have a first dental visit and familiarity with the findings of the first-ever Surgeon General’s Report on Oral Health including oral disease/systemic connections. Questions were Likert style (1=Strongly Disagree to 5=Strongly Agree).
Results: Of 41 students, 38 (92.6%) filled out questionnaires. Utilizing the Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test for statistical analysis of baseline/posttest differences, the presentation increased baseline brushing time, reasons to brush and floss to more recommended levels in the future (p<0.05). With regard to knowledge acquisition: increased correct agreement was noted for the Surgeon General’s Report on Oral Health (p<0.05), connections of oral health and systemic disease (p<0.01), tobacco/methamphetamine effects, and time for first dental visit (p<0.05). Results further revealed non-significant differences compared to the dentist (p>.05).
Conclusions: A presentation to a 4th grade by a senior mentored/trained by a dentist effectively raised knowledge with non-significant differences compared to the dentists’ presentation. Studies are currently ongoing with the past HSS mentoring/educating a younger HSS student with encouragement by the teachers/ administrators of both the Florida high and elementary schools. This approach may also be usefu in rural areas where there may be a llack of oral health professionals/educators.