Diversity and Equality in Health and Care (2017) 14(6): 296-301 Research Artcle 2017 Insight Medical Publishing Group Nursing Care Home Dental Care Education for Uninsured Free Clinic Patients in the United States Akiko Kamimura 1 *, Clayton Booth 1 , Mitch Johansen 1 , Uriel Morales 1 , Jeanie Ashby 2 , Lea Erickson 1 1 University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA 2 Maliheh Free Clinic, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA ABSTRACT Objective: Oral health disparities are a signifcant public health issue in the United States (US). Individuals utilizing a free clinic for underserved populations are one of the at-risk populations for poor oral health. The purpose of this study was to describe and evaluate home oral health education classes provided at a free clinic. Methods: Data were collected by a pre-oral health class survey, feld notes during a home dental health class and a post-oral health class survey at a free clinic from September to November 2017. Results: Twenty-three oral classes were offered. There were 61 participants in the classes in total. Among the class participants, 49 patients flled out the survey. Although the majority of the participants brushed their teeth regularly, they did not have much knowledge about the correct manner of brushing, including which toothbrushes and pastes were best to use. Flossing seemed to be less commonly practiced than brushing. Showing visual images and connecting oral health with overall body health seemed to be effective in providing the motivation for better oral health practices. Conclusions: Brief informal classes on home oral health practice seem to be feasible solutions and have potential to improve the oral health of patients of free clinics. Keywords: Free clinics; Oral health; Health education; Health promotion; USA Key points What is known about this topic? • Individuals utilizing a free clinic for underserved populations are one of the at-risk populations for poor oral health. • Patients of free clinics have unmet needs for dental treatment. • Among free clinic patients, oral health issues that interfere with a poorer quality of life are associated with the neglect of dental care and poor oral hygiene practice. What the paper adds? • Patients of free clinics do not have suffcient knowledge about the correct manner of brushing, including which toothbrushes and pastes are best to use. • Flossing is less commonly practiced than brushing. • Showing visual images and connecting oral health with overall body health are be effective in providing the motivation for better oral health practices. • Brief informal classes on home oral health practice may be feasible solutions and have the potential to improve the oral health of patients of free clinics. Introducton Oral health disparities are a signifcant public health issue in the United States (US) [1]. Approximately one third of adults aged 20-44 have untreated dental caries [2]. Only slightly over 60% of adults had a dental visit in the past year, which is less than the recommended two visits per year. One of the major factors that affect poor oral health is poverty [3,4]. Adults living below 100% of the federal poverty level are less likely to have complete tooth retention compared to those living above the poverty level [4]. Individuals utilizing a free clinic for underserved populations are one of the at-risk populations for poor oral health. Free clinics provide free or reduced fee primary care services to un- or under- insured individuals who are living in poverty [5]. Patients of free clinics have needs for dental treatment, however, only one-third of free clinics actually provide dental services [6-8]. Among free clinic patients, oral health issues that interfere with having a poorer quality of life are associated with the neglect of dental care and poor oral hygiene practice [9]. Regular oral health practices are not only important for the oral health, but also for the general health of free clinic patients [7]. Yet, little is known about oral health education programs at free clinics. On one hand, since free clinics often experience