Beninese Immigrants’ Oral Health Equity: Awareness Session on Gum Disease Prevention
1
Patient Navigation & Community Health Worker Training (PNCT), Greeley, United States
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Oral health disparities disproportionately affect African immigrant populations due to limited access to dental care, financial constraints, cultural perceptions, and misinformation. Studies show that 89.4% of North and West African migrants experience tooth decay and periodontal disease due to poor preventive care and delayed treatment-seeking behaviors.1 Cultural perceptions of oral health play an important role in African immigrants’ dental care behaviors. Many African immigrants view oral health as secondary to general health and may only seek care during acute pain or severe symptoms, rather than for preventive measures.2-3 This project aims to engage Beninese immigrant leaders in Colorado to raise awareness about gum disease and promote preventive practices to improve community-wide oral health outcomes.
METHODS:
The health Belief Model guided the intervention. Twenty trusted leaders of the Beninese community in Colorado were identified. A professor of dental medicine provided evidence-based oral health education. French brochures and flyers on oral hygiene, and gum disease prevention were designed to facilitate awareness raising among community members. Pre- and post-session surveys were used to evaluate changes in participants’ knowledge and confidence.
RESULTS:
Eighteen Beninese community leaders attended the session. Results showed a 40% rise in recognition of the health impacts of gum disease and a 64% increase in confidence in educating other community members. Results indicate that the session significantly enhanced health literacy and leadership capacity related to oral health promotion.
CONCLUSIONS:
This initiative addresses cultural and systemic barriers to dental care by empowering marginalized communities with knowledge and access. It meaningfully increased oral health knowledge and leadership capacity among Beninese immigrant leaders. The results support the importance of culturally and linguistically tailored health education, particularly when addressing underserved communities with limited access to dental care.
Oral health disparities disproportionately affect African immigrant populations due to limited access to dental care, financial constraints, cultural perceptions, and misinformation. Studies show that 89.4% of North and West African migrants experience tooth decay and periodontal disease due to poor preventive care and delayed treatment-seeking behaviors.1 Cultural perceptions of oral health play an important role in African immigrants’ dental care behaviors. Many African immigrants view oral health as secondary to general health and may only seek care during acute pain or severe symptoms, rather than for preventive measures.2-3 This project aims to engage Beninese immigrant leaders in Colorado to raise awareness about gum disease and promote preventive practices to improve community-wide oral health outcomes.
METHODS:
The health Belief Model guided the intervention. Twenty trusted leaders of the Beninese community in Colorado were identified. A professor of dental medicine provided evidence-based oral health education. French brochures and flyers on oral hygiene, and gum disease prevention were designed to facilitate awareness raising among community members. Pre- and post-session surveys were used to evaluate changes in participants’ knowledge and confidence.
RESULTS:
Eighteen Beninese community leaders attended the session. Results showed a 40% rise in recognition of the health impacts of gum disease and a 64% increase in confidence in educating other community members. Results indicate that the session significantly enhanced health literacy and leadership capacity related to oral health promotion.
CONCLUSIONS:
This initiative addresses cultural and systemic barriers to dental care by empowering marginalized communities with knowledge and access. It meaningfully increased oral health knowledge and leadership capacity among Beninese immigrant leaders. The results support the importance of culturally and linguistically tailored health education, particularly when addressing underserved communities with limited access to dental care.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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