By The Moore Agency
Every September 15 to October 15 is set aside as Hispanic Heritage Month to recognize Hispanic contributions to our culture and celebrate their achievements in our communities.
Hispanic Floridians are a vital part of our communities and culture. It is even more important for dentists to be aware of the needs, beliefs, and motivating factors of the Hispanic community since they make up almost one in four Floridians, many of which are probably patients of FDA dentists. But there is a disparity among Hispanic populations when it comes to oral healthcare. Only 27.8% of Hispanic adults visited a dentist in 2017-2018, compared to 47.4% of non-Hispanic White adults and 38.9% of non-Hispanic Asian adults.
Lack of knowledge presents a major obstacle to better oral health among Hispanic Floridians. One recent study found that 6 in 10 Hispanics believe that more information on oral care habits in Spanish would benefit them. The issue of lack of knowledge available to this community is an even greater problem since Hispanic individuals often experience more oral health issues compared to the general population.
In response, we have developed a bilingual advertising campaign with the Florida Dental Association. The campaign aims to inform Hispanic Floridians about oral health care and how to find a local dentist in both Spanish and English. Through authentic communication that prioritizes visuals and wording relevant to this audience, the FDA hopes to reverse the oral health trends of Hispanic families in Florida.
Another way you can ensure your dental practice is catering to Hispanic members in your community is to promote if your dentist or dental hygienist is bilingual. Bilingual team members improve a person’s dental visit by removing the fear of miscommunication and providing comfort in a potentially stressful situation. By promoting this on social media or promotional materials, you may be able to help someone in your community treat their oral health issues for the first time in their life.
It is our sincere hope that you see more Hispanic patients in the next few months as a result of this campaign. The Florida Dental Association has made it clear that this audience is a priority, and we will continue to work with them to help Hispanic Floridians attain a healthy smile.
Beyond the Bite 