Winter 2023 STOHN Newsletter
- Happy Holidays! -
The South Texas Oral Health Network, Dr. Rahma Mungia, and Dr. Moshtagh Farokhi seek your participation in an anonymous Quick Poll about oral health within refugee and immigrant populations. Refugee and immigrant populations struggle with getting the proper oral care they need. Within 2023, 2.8 million immigrants crossed the Texas border in search of asylum and higher quality of life. This poll assesses practitioners’ knowledge and experiences regarding their patient pool, which are refugee and immigrant patient populations.
Relevant Definitions:
- Refugees: a person who has been forced to leave their country to escape war, persecution, or natural disasters.
- Immigrants: a person who elects to live permanently in a foreign country.
- Asylum Seekers: someone who has left their country and is seeking protection from persecution and serious human rights violations in another country but hasn't yet been legally recognized as a refugee and is waiting to receive a decision on their asylum claim.
Please complete the 5-question poll regarding refugee and immigrant patient populations. Your response will help determine whether this issue merits further investigation by the STOHN PBRN. Responses are voluntary and anonymous. We will keep you posted about the results of the quick poll.
Quick-Poll Link: https://redcap.link/u63jiydq
Current Studies:
Frenotomy Chart Review Study:
We are currently recruiting General and Pediatric dentists to participate in the Frenum Study. The Frenum Study is a chart review study looking for the association between the maxillary frenum position and attachment and anterior caries in children aged 6 months to 3 years. There are limited spots available and will be given on a first come first serve basis. You would be compensated $10 per chart review survey completed. Maximum compensation would be $200! For more information, click here for the flyer.
Smokeless Tobacco Patient In-Depth Interviews/Focus Groups:
STOHN, in partnership with the El Bari Community Health Center, are holding focus groups and interviews with patients who currently or previously have used smokeless tobacco products. We aim to recruit 30 patients who will participate in a survey along with a Focus Group lasting 1 hour. The goal of this study is to produce culturally appropriate educational materials on cessation techniques that will fill the knowledge gaps and reduce the use of smokeless tobacco in the community. The results of this study hope to make cessation materials available to anyone in the community, regardless of language or culture.
Completed Studies:
Quantitative Smokeless Tobacco Patient Study:
This past summer, we completed this study and submitted it to the Journal of Dental Hygiene. Through randomized selection, 94 participants were chosen to complete a 29-question survey. The survey consisted of various demographic questions, and asked participants about their attitudes, beliefs, and personal use of SLT products. Here is a breakdown of the results:
- 87.2% of the participants identified as Asian (Afghani, Pakistani, and Indian)
- 86.2% viewed SLT products unsafe for their health, with a majority believing that SLT causes changes to the mouth, lead to oral cancer/gum disease, and that SLT contains nicotine.
- 63.8% wished to stop their SLT use, while 36.2% attempted to stop but were unsuccessful.