Using creative, collaborative engagement in an oral health community intervention

Abstract Issue/Problem There are inequalities in children's oral health outcomes with a widening gap between the least and most deprived and the highest rates of dentinal decay in marginalised groups. Traditional public health messaging fails to resonate with community groups due to cultural and linguistic barriers. Community-based co-creative interventions used in practice deserve greater research attention to evidence effectiveness of complex interventions and translation into policy. Description of the problem The project was conducted over a 1-year period by public health community officers addressing children's oral health inequalities in the most vulnerable communities. The methods used were co-creative storytelling to develop oral health messaging with cultural sensitivity. Academic evaluation focused on the impact on community of women involved and the subsequent role development into community health champions. Results A creative, collaborative storytelling intervention co-produced with the Southeast Asian and Pakistani community provided culturally sensitive oral health messaging that was positively received by children and families. It empowered the women involved to become community health champions. Lessons Community engagement using co-creation can have multiple outcomes as effective public health interventions as well as role formalisation through empowerment of marginalised women. Key messages • Creative, culturally sensitive methods like storytelling can bridge cultural gaps and improve health education. • Recognition of community champions through role formalisation is required to sustain public health benefits of community engagement.