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Biomedical subjects

A J Bolden

Publications and source records attributed to A J Bolden.

11 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

Differences in judgments of persuasive argument quality by three population groups in Iowa.

OBJECTIVES: This study describes a method for studying the perceived persuasiveness of rationales for adopting preventive health behaviors. METHODS: Using the Elaboration Likelihood Model, we surveyed 156 individuals as to the level of persuasiveness that each of several categories of reason presented in adopting target "prevention" behaviors such as eliminating the use of smokeless tobacco or seeking regular dental care. RESULTS: Significant differences between what the public reported as persuasive reasons and those selected by future dental practitioners were found. Patients saw potential cost savings, elimination of future pain, and being told by an authority person to adopt a behavior as highly persuasive reasons to adopt a target behavior. Nonwhite patients gave significantly higher scores than did white patients to arguments centering on social/aesthetic appeal. On the negative side, episodic care seekers felt significantly more strongly than regular care seekers that their practicing dental prevention activities (e.g., regular checkups, brushing, and flossing) benefited someone other than themselves (dental profession and dental manufacturers). CONCLUSIONS: Results of this study suggest that one way to improve persuasive public health preventive messages is to consider whether the fundamental arguments on which preventive health campaigns are built have broad patient appeal.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Considerations in establishing a dental program for the homeless.

The homeless are a diverse group who present the dental profession with a number of difficult challenges in the delivery of oral health services. Utilization of dental services by the homeless is low when provided in traditional settings and access is limited. The purpose of this case study is to review program planning issues focusing on the unique aspects of establishing dental programs for the shelter-based homeless. This paper is based on experiences in developing a dental program for homeless persons in Boston. The establishment of a portable dental program in 1988 for persons residing in shelters in the greater Boston area involved many administrative and clinical considerations. These factors included determination of needs and barriers to dental care, resource identification and development, program planning and implementation, evaluation, and the development of constituency support. The diversity of the homeless population in combination with the variation of space and medical resources at different shelter sites dictates flexibility in the development of programs to address the oral health needs of the homeless.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Dental caries in homeless adults in Boston.

OBJECTIVES: Information about the oral health status of the homeless is limited. The purpose of this study is to characterize the dental caries status among users of a dental treatment and referral program at homeless shelters in Boston, MA. METHODS: Persons attending the program during a one-year period were assessed for evidence of dental caries experience by a single examiner. DMFT counts were abstracted from patient records. RESULTS: The population examined (n = 73) was 66 percent male with a mean age of 36 years. The racial composition was 51 percent African-American, 34 percent Caucasian, and 14 percent Hispanic. The 70 dentate people examined had a mean DFT of 11.1 (SD = 6.1). The mean percent of DFT that was DT per person was 55.7 percent. Untreated caries was detected in 91.4 percent of those examined. CONCLUSIONS: These findings show evidence of previous dental services utilization by these homeless individuals, but demonstrate a high need for preventive and restorative dental therapy.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Gains in dental care use not shared by minority elders.

Americans have steadily increased their reported use of dental services over the past 30 years. Persons aged 65 years and older have made the greatest gains, from 16 percent in 1957-58 to 43 percent in 1989. This article reviews national data on reported use of dental care over the past three decades, focusing on differences in rates of utilization on the basis of age, race, and national origin. In addition, differences in sample selection, definitions of race and national origin, and data collection methodology were reviewed to identify systematic sources of bias in comparing the data. Findings indicate that reported dental care use among minority elders has not increased parallel with elders of all races and national origins. In 1957-59, 17 percent of white elders versus 9 percent of nonwhite elders had seen a dentist within the past year. By 1989 percentages had improved to 45 percent of whites, but only 22 percent of blacks and 40 percent of Hispanics. In addition, reporting and recording race and national origin varied considerably during the three decades, hampering comparisons over time. Finally, published national data on usual correlates of dental care use (dentition status, insurance, age, income, and education) are inadequate to explain the causes of these discrepancies. More research is needed to identify barriers to use of dental care by all Americans, particularly those of African and Hispanic descent.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Black or African American↗
PubMed1988

A comparative analysis of the influence of financing on Boston's neighborhood health center dental programs in 1979 and 1985.

This study determined whether or not income and other structural components of 15 Boston neighborhood health centers in 1979 and 1985 had a systematic influence on their dental productivity as measured by dental visits. Health center revenue sources, health center costs, dental program costs, dental and medical manpower, and type of facility license were analyzed in relation to dental visits using secondary data from multiple sources. Dental costs and dental manpower were substantial predictors of dental visits for both periods of time. Stepwise regression analyses suggest that in 1979, the type of license and the type of grants received also were associated with the number of dental visits. In 1985, however, none of the revenue variables showed an association with dental visits when controlling for dental manpower and dental costs.

Boston↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Perception of oral health needs by Southeast Iowa non-dental health care providers.

The purposes of this dental study were to identify, among non-dental health care providers and administrators, (1) those reasons assessed to be most persuasive in adopting selected dental preventive practices, (2) barriers perceived to be present for their clients to obtain dental services, and (3) practices which would make dental services more available to their clients. A nine-item dental care/attitude survey was completed by 82% (n = 68) of the health care and social services providers/administrators attending one of the United Way of East Central Iowa group meetings. The results of this survey indicated that, for these respondents, the most persuasive reasons for adopting preventive dental practice behaviors were based on susceptibility to disease and social and esthetic benefits. Further, the results of this survey showed that female respondents gave significantly higher scores than males to the importance of social benefits (self-worth and employment marketability), health benefits, and the importance that authority figures (dentists and physicians) placed on the behavior. Fifty-one percent of the respondents knew of patients who had problems obtaining dental services. The main reasons given for clients' access problems were the lack of money, the lack of insurance, and the lack of transportation.

Administrative Personnel↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A national survey on the use of glass-ionomer cements.

This study was conducted to determine why and how glass-ionomer cements are being used by general dentists. Data were collected by a mail survey sent to a random sample of approximately 1000 general dentists in the United States. The results showed that 94% of the respondents currently use or have used glass ionomers. The primary uses (in order of popularity) are: 1) as a base or liner, 2) as a luting cement, and 3) as a crown foundation. Eighty-two percent of the respondents who use glass-ionomer luting cements reported some postoperative tooth sensitivity, but a slightly larger proportion (85%) reported postoperative sensitivity with other cements.

Cementation↗