The “Iowa Immigrant Oral Health project aimed to boost the use of preventive oral health services among African refugees in Iowa City, particularly those aged 19-65. Research showed that immigrants with moderate social networks were more likely to understand and access dental care, while those with smaller networks faced worse oral health outcomes. The project leveraged Social Cognitive Theory (SCT), which emphasizes that behavior change is influenced by self-efficacy, goals, and outcome expectations. By increasing refugees’ knowledge and confidence in dental care, the project sought to qualify more participants for the full benefits of Iowa’s Dental Wellness Program (DWP).
The intervention used peer educators to promote oral health awareness through interpersonal communication and educational campaigns. Five peer educators were trained in two sessions, covering project goals and the importance of preventive care. These educators were tasked with spreading oral health messages to ten individuals per month, aiming to reach 300 people in six months. Additionally, language-appropriate materials were provided, and Medicaid dental providers in Iowa City were compiled for reference.
