Great beginnings for healthy native smiles

An early childhood caries prevention program

American Indian children are four times more likely to suffer from untreated dental caries when compared to white children.¹  High rates of Early Childhood Caries (ECC; one or more decayed, missing, or filled teeth in a child less than 6 years of age)² in American Indian children impact the wellbeing of their families and communities because of the associated problems that result from untreated ECC such as infection, chronic pain, tooth loss, dental disease, poor nutrition, impaired growth, and poor general health. ³ Dental disease has also been linked to other serious chronic health conditions like premature/low-birth weight, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and stroke. ⁴

Grant funding and how NAU Principal Investigators work within communities

Funded by a one-year bridge grant from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, Great Beginnings for Healthy Native Smiles aims to understand the social, cultural, environmental, and structural factors associated with ECC and to create a program that will reduce the burden in two American Indian communities. In order to explore factors and influences related to ECC in tribal communities, CHER investigators have partnered with the Hopi Tribe and Hopi Health Center in Arizona and the Crow Tribe and Little Big Horn College in Montana.

The research team includes key tribal healthcare providers, cultural experts, faculty and staff at NAU, and internationally recognized researchers in ECC within indigenous populations. In addition, both Principal Investigators of the project (Drs. Julie Baldwin and Terry Batliner) are American Indian tribal members. This research team will collect qualitative data from focus groups and interviews with health and social service providers, mothers and caregivers of young children, and members of the tribal communities. A Community Advisory Board consisting of expectant and new mothers, as well as health and service providers, from the communities will also be consulted frequently.

Perspectives of these groups will be instrumental in understanding the social, cultural, and environmental experiences shared by the Hopi and Crow communities. The insight gained from these conversations will provide insight into how to adapt a culturally compatible intervention for ECC prevention that considers the unique social determinants of health experienced by American Indian mothers and their children.

Other key organizational partners include the University of Colorado, Denver; Sage Dental Clinic; the University of Australia, Adelaide; and the University of New Mexico.

Project personnel & references