TRENDING CULTURAL DRIVERS OF SMOKELESS TOBACCO: FOR RECENT REFUGEE AND IMMIGRANTS AS KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES, AND BEHAVIOR DETERMINANTS: A SOUTH TEXAS ORAL HEALTH NETWORK COLLABORATIVE STUDY.

Objectives: Smokeless tobacco (SLT) use is a phenomenon that is detrimental to the health of adults worldwide and dramatically impacts the health of resettled populations. The prevalence of SLT has exponentially grown as a public health threat for the refugee and immigrant populations and is worthy of addressing. This research study examined the SLT cultural drivers of the Texas immigrant and refugee community, which led to their knowledge, perception, awareness, and cessation practices.

Tooth Fairy Study- The South Texas Oral Health Network Collaboration.

Purpose: This study's purpose was to examine the processes and the potential for dental practitioners to address environmental health exposure risks to their patients through dental practice-based research participation. To explore this, the South Texas Oral Health Network (STOHN) initiated a collaboration with The Tooth Fairy National Study investigating toxicants stored in deciduous teeth as a potential neurodevelopmental risk factor.

Background: Neurodevelopmental disorders (ND), like Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), affect 1 in 68 live births.

Extent of Elder Abuse Training in Dental Hygiene Curricula and Program Directors' Perceptions of Importance of and Barriers to Implementation.

Research published in 2002 reported limited elder abuse training in U.S. dental hygiene curricula although its importance has increased with an aging population.

Iatro-compliance: an unintended consequence of excessive autonomy in long term care facilities.

Purpose: Periodontal disease and caries remain the most prevalent preventable chronic diseases for seniors. Seniors transitioning into long term care facilities (LTCFs) often present with oral health challenges linked to systemic diseases, plaque control, psychomotor skills and oral health literacy. Many retain a discernible level of physical and cognitive ability, establishing considerable autonomy.