Date

12-2025

Document Type

Capstone Project (Open Access)

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

Department

Health, Human Services and Public Policy

Major

Public health

Abstract

Untreated dental decay remains high in Monterey County, particularly among low-income, Spanish-speaking families, due to provider shortages and persistent gaps in oral-health education. In partnership with the Monterey County Health Department’s Oral Health Program, which delivers prevention, education, and access initiatives countywide, this capstone project focuses on parents and caregivers of young children living in a diverse community with long-standing access barriers. The project’s purpose was to strengthen parents' knowledge, confidence, and intentions to practice preventive oral-health behaviors at home. To achieve this, an interactive, bilingual (Spanish/English) workshop was designed and delivered on November 5, 2025, featuring demonstrations on proper brushing and flossing, guidance on diet and sugar reduction, the importance of routine dental visits, and navigation to local affordable dental resources. All attendees were invited to complete an immediate, anonymous questionnaire following the session. Preliminary responses indicated clear gains in self-reported knowledge and confidence, along with strong intentions to implement key prevention practices, including two-minute brushing, limiting sugary beverages, and scheduling regular preventive visits, effectively meeting the project’s short-term learning objectives.

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