Oral Health Literacy Initiative — Resources

Courtesy of ADA website and Dr. Alice Horowitz

*** DOH is not responsible for the availability of content of external or non-governmental sites, nor does DOH endorse, warrant, or guarantee the products, services, or information described or offered. ***

Increasing the Dental Team's Knowledge about Health Literacy

• California Oral Health Technical Assistance Center's Oral Health Literacy Toolkit Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  This comprehensive toolkit includes resources for oral health providers to improve communication with their patients, including a dental practice assessment checklist, a booklet on the teach-back method, and an action plan.
• Cultural Competency Program for Oral Health Providers - Online continuing dental education course (6 credits) that is part of Think Cultural Health, sponsored by the Office of Minority Health.
• American Dental Association Health Literacy in Dentistry Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 
• CDC Health Literacy for Public Health Professionals. Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  A web-based course to educate public health professionals on the importance of health literacy and their role in providing health information and services and promoting public health literacy.
• TeamSTEPPS Core Curriculum Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality's (AHRQ) TeamSTEPPS® program was developed to support effective communication and teamwork in health care. The curriculum offers training for participants to implement TeamSTEPPS® in their organizations.
• Smiles for Life - A National Oral Health Curriculum Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov . Smiles for Life produces educational resources to ensure the integration of oral health and primary care.
• Health Affairs. Brach C. Health Affairs Blog Making Informed Consent An Informed Choice Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov , April 4, 2019.
• California Dental Association Journal, April 2012. Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  The 2012 April issue of the CDA Journal focuses on oral health literacy.

Teach-Back

• AHRQ Health Literacy Universal Precautions Toolkit, 2nd Edition. Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  The toolkit offers primary care practices a way to assess their services for health literacy considerations, increase patient understanding of health information and raise the awareness of the office about the use of health literacy principles.
• Always Use Teach-back training toolkit Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 

Creating Clear and Effective Written Information

• Plainlanguage.gov Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  The website contains plain language guidelines, training, and examples.
• The CDC Clear Communication Index Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  is a research-based tool to help you develop and assess public communication materials.

Improving the Health Literacy Environment of the Dental Office

• The health literacy environment of hospitals and health centers. Partners for action: Making your healthcare facility literacy-friendly. Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  Rudd RE, Andersen J. Boston, MA: Harvard School of Public Health; 2006.
• The Health Literacy Environment Activity Packet: First Impressions and Walking Interview Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  Rudd RE. Boston, MA: Harvard School of Public Health; 2010. This packet focuses on four activities designed to help staff members consider the health literacy environment of their workplace.
• Ten Attributes of Health Literate Health Care Organizations Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 

Patient Educational Materials

• American Dental Association's™ Consumer Website Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 
• National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  Variety of oral health topics and many are available in print and electronic format.
• Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) Oral Health Educational Materials Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 
• Oral Health Kansas Tips and Tricks Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 
• Healthy Teeth, Healthy Kids Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 
• National Maternal and Child Oral Health Resource Center Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 
• Institute for Healthcare Improvement Ask Me 3: Good Questions for Your Good Health Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 
• Team Maureen Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Toolkit
  If you're interested in the human papillomavirus (HPV) toolkit that was available during the Native American Pueblo Parent Resources (NAPPR) Vendor Fair, held in conjunction with the 2019 IHS Dental Updates meeting, please e-mail Team Maureen info@teammaureen.org Subject: AI/AN Toolkit Request.