Abstract
The purpose of this study was to identify common themes among interventions that seek to improve oral health in Appalachia. We interviewed oral health stakeholders in each of the thirteen states in Appalachia, obtaining information on 134 oral health interventions. Using a content analysis approach, we identified eight themes from the stakeholder-provided descriptions of these interventions: access to care, adult services, education and outreach, Medicaid initiatives, preventive services, tobacco initiatives, water fluoridation, and workforce. Results indicated that interventions designed to increase access to care, preventive services, and oral health education were discussed most frequently by stakeholders and illustrate a variety of practices to improve oral health in Appalachian states. Our research highlights the complexity of reducing oral health disparities and the resourcefulness of existing interventions for reducing oral health disparities in Appalachia.
