Texas Journal of Rural Health, Volume 17, Number 2, 1999 Page: 23
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DENTAL HEALTH ATTITUDES AND KNOWLEDGE LEVELS OF RURAL AND SUBURBAN TEXAS
Some explanations may account for some of
the differences found between the two dental
practices in this research. In addition to the
small sample sizes, limitations should be
acknowledged when generalizing these two
groups to other suburban and rural dental
practices. The demographics' effects and the
dental practices from which these two
samples were extracted could be a reflection
of the dental knowledge and the dental health
attitudes held by both dental groups. Since
the rural dental practice operated for 35 years
under an interventionist's philosophy, the
lack of awareness and importance of good
dental health may have influenced this group.
The suburban dental office operated under a
preventionist's philosophy of dentistry since
its inception. Therefore, the suburban dental
group has undoubtedly had more exposure to
six-month recall cleanings and the importance
of practicing good oral hygiene; hence, they
have an advantage over the rural dental
group. The fact that their education level was
higher than the rural dental group is also
possibly an indication of a higher quality of
life.
CONCLUSION
Based on this study's findings, dental
health educators should concentrate their
efforts in reaching disadvantaged communi-
ties. New educational strategies or programs
designed to reach less fortunate groups
should be explored. Many disadvantaged
adults and children would probably benefit
significantly from more dental health aware-
ness and dental health education. The quality
of their lives could also be improved by
appropriate dental care. Children who fail to
have their dental problems treated grow into
adults with decayed, missing, or maloccluded
teeth. Older people who do not receiveappropriate dental care may suffer from
periodontal disease, missing teeth, or poorly
fitting dental appliances (Kovar, Jack, &
Bloom, 1988). Thus, the prevention of any of
these problems through proper dental health
education could be less costly than the
negative effect produced by them.
REFERENCES
Beazoglou, T., Guay, A. H., Heffley, D. R.
(1989). The economic health of den-
tistry: Past, present, and future.
Journal of the American Dental
Association, 119,(1), 117-121.
Chen, M. (1986). A sociodemographic
analysis of preventive dental behavior
among white American families. Health
Education Quarterly, 13, (2), 105-115.
Giddon, D. E., (1987). Oral health and the
quality of life. Journal of the American
College ofDentists, 54, (2), 10-14.
Hayward, R., Meetz, H. K., Shapiro, M.G., &
Freeman H.E., (1987). Utilization of
dental services: 1986 Patterns and
trends. Journal of Public Health
Dentistry, 49, (3), 147-150.
Jack., S., & Bloom, B. (1986). Use of dental
services and dental health: United
States, 1986. Vital and Health Statis-
tics, 10, (165), 88-1593.
Kinnbg, C. G., Palm, L., & Widenheim, J.
(1991). Evaluation of information on
dental health care at child health
centers: Differences in education levels,
and knowledge among parents of
preschool children with different caries
experience. Acta Odontologica
Scandinavica, 49, (5), 289-95.
Kovar, M.G., Jack, S., & Bloom, B. (1988).
Dental care and dental health: NHIS.
American Journal of Public Health, 78,
(11), 1496-1497.23
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Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. Texas Journal of Rural Health, Volume 17, Number 2, 1999, periodical, 1999; Lubbock, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1114719/m1/31/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.