title: Assessment of women, infants and children providers' perceptions of oral health counseling and availability of associated resources.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Children from low-income families and ethnic minority groups are associated with an increased risk of developing dental disease and are often enrolled in the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) nutritional program. It has been an intention of the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) Oral Health Program (OHP) to collaborate with WIC to provide preventive oral health resources and education to their population. This project focused on achieving the goals outlined in the Michigan 2010 State Oral Health Plan.
  
  
  METHODS
  An 18 question survey was designed to identify gaps existing in oral health counseling in Michigan WIC agencies. The survey was disseminated to 56 MI WIC agencies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  WIC providers perceive oral health risk assessment to be important and are asking oral health questions during certification and re-certification appointments. Seventy-nine percent of participants indicated they never had training in oral health counseling, and 79% are interested in learning more about oral health. Agencies are interested in obtaining oral health education resources for their clients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The 2010 State Oral Health Plan's goals recognized the need for oral health related resources and education within community-based programs like WIC. The results of the survey support the need for additional oral health counseling and associated resources in WIC agencies. This information will be used to help the MDCH OHP find ways to address these gaps.
authors: Tiffany A
authors: TA
authors: Mendryga
authors: Anne E
authors: AE
authors: Gwozdek
mesh_terms: D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003153:Community Health Services; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003376:Counseling; D019140:Dental Care for Children; D005260:Female; D063105:Food Assistance; D006267:Health Education, Dental; D006291:Health Policy; D006295:Health Resources; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008824:Michigan; D009909:Oral Health; D011247:Pregnancy; D011313:Preventive Dentistry; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014481:United States
keywords: WIC; community-based programs; counseling; oral health; oral health program