Based on their study they recommended that called for increased communication between researchers and the media but also that “public health must employ social strategies for improved communication management” (Seymour et al., 2015, p. 517). Furthermore, the literature suggested that “public health officials should take into account cultural norms and perceptions when individuals in a community appear to rise up against water fluoridation” (Perrella & Kiss, 2015, p. 197).
Continued misinformation and unsubstantiated issues regarding water fluoridation impact local decisions to start and in some cases continue community water fluoridation (Melbye & Armfield, 2013). Communities have been successful in beginning or restarting community water …show more content…
Melbye and Armfield (2013) found that more than half of dentists strongly support water fluoridation and another 40% support it with limited reservations, but that 50% said they needed more training on fluoridation and a similar number wanted training on fluoridation and advocacy. To bring about the desired change Melbye and Armfield (2013) noted, the “diffusion of innovation theory” should be used to integrate new knowledge on community water fluoridation to bring about change in community dentist’s practice. Therefore, in order for community dentists to be successful in this role, increased knowledge, practice preparedness, and self-efficacy must be developed (Garcia & Sohn, 2012). Consequently, this increased preparation should further the community dentist confidence in responding to patient’s with an antifluoridation …show more content…
Moreover, Long et al., (2011), called for didactic and practical training to develop public health advocacy skills in undergraduate curricula and continuing education that are needed to promote water fluoridation.
Communities with identified, advocacy trained, and fluoridation skilled champions will possess the initial ingredients for change in non-fluoridating communities. Further strategies to support the implement of water fluoridation including information and education programs that target specific issues in the community can then be developed, delivered, and further communicated by local and state public health. Moreover, CDC has researched and developed a number of education, advocacy, and communication pieces to support public health community water fluoridation campaigns (CDC, n.d.).
Continued misinformation and unsubstantiated issues regarding water fluoridation impact local decisions to start and in some cases continue community water fluoridation (Melbye & Armfield, 2013). Communities have been successful in beginning or restarting community water …show more content…
Melbye and Armfield (2013) found that more than half of dentists strongly support water fluoridation and another 40% support it with limited reservations, but that 50% said they needed more training on fluoridation and a similar number wanted training on fluoridation and advocacy. To bring about the desired change Melbye and Armfield (2013) noted, the “diffusion of innovation theory” should be used to integrate new knowledge on community water fluoridation to bring about change in community dentist’s practice. Therefore, in order for community dentists to be successful in this role, increased knowledge, practice preparedness, and self-efficacy must be developed (Garcia & Sohn, 2012). Consequently, this increased preparation should further the community dentist confidence in responding to patient’s with an antifluoridation …show more content…
Moreover, Long et al., (2011), called for didactic and practical training to develop public health advocacy skills in undergraduate curricula and continuing education that are needed to promote water fluoridation.
Communities with identified, advocacy trained, and fluoridation skilled champions will possess the initial ingredients for change in non-fluoridating communities. Further strategies to support the implement of water fluoridation including information and education programs that target specific issues in the community can then be developed, delivered, and further communicated by local and state public health. Moreover, CDC has researched and developed a number of education, advocacy, and communication pieces to support public health community water fluoridation campaigns (CDC, n.d.).