Impact of a Community Dental Fair
on Knowledge and Intentions among
Low-Income Hispanic Colonia Residents

Abstract

All United States residents do not have equal access to effective measures to prevent oral diseases. Disparities are prevalent among minority and underserved populations. For many communities on the U.S./Mexico border, changing unhealthy dental habits may be difficult due to limited knowledge and lack of access to health care. Based on community input, the research team prioritized the need for a community health fair designed to provide education and promotion of dental and oral health issues. Studies have found health fairs to be cost-effective community outreach strategies that increase awareness and disseminate health information. The objective of the community health dental fair was to increase general dental health knowledge and facilitate the adoption of recommended dental health practices among predominantly Hispanic colonia participants. Eighty-two Hispanic females participated in the study to evaluate the dental fair. Demographic information and a 10-item dental health knowledge questionnaire were administered in a pre- and post-test design. The demographic profile was adapted from an existing questionnaire.1 The researchers developed the knowledge items that were central to the information presented in the dental health fair booths. Knowledge scores at post-test (M = 8.79) were significantly higher than pre-test scores (M =7.89, t (77) = 6.49, p <.001). The majority of participants (n = 74) reported having "learned a lot" by attending the health fair. When queried about whether the participants enjoyed the dental health fair, all participants responded affirmatively. These results provide further support for the use of health fairs to disseminate information among priority populations.