In this SBIR Phase I submission, KDH Research & Communication (KDHRC) proposes to
develop and evaluate Guardians Receiving Information through Navigators (GRIN). GRIN is a
culturally competent, online professional development course to prepare community health
workers (CHWs) to provide oral health outreach to low-income Black guardians of children and
adolescents. GRIN aims to increase CHWs’ knowledge, attitudes and beliefs, perceived self-
efficacy, and intentions to conduct oral health outreach to Black guardians.
Tooth decay, especially when untreated, creates lasting and substantial physical
consequences for children and adolescents. Minority and low-income populations have
disproportionately high rates of tooth decay and related consequences. Compared to non-
Hispanic White children, Black children are less likely to receive preventive dental visits, and
experience more untreated tooth decay. Moreover, children living in poverty are twice as likely
as children not living in poverty to experience primary tooth decay. Because of such childhood
oral health disparities, GRIN will equip CHWs – who are uniquely positioned to provide high-
impact outreach to minority and low-income populations – with the knowledge and skills to
deliver culturally appropriate tooth decay prevention and oral health outreach to low-income
Black guardians of children and adolescents from ages 0-18.
In Phase I, we will develop the GRIN prototype with feedback from a steering committee to
promote alignment with CHW best practices and the needs of the Black community, and ensure
the prototype contains scientifically accurate information. We will evaluate the GRIN prototype
in a randomized, two-group study that empirically assesses knowledge, attitudes and beliefs,
self-efficacy, and intentions change after exposure to the GRIN prototype.
The Phase I project will prepare us for Phase II expansion and a rigorous randomized
controlled trial. When complete, GRIN will be rooted in KDHRC’s vast experience and
connections with CHW leadership and organizations and be marketed through KDHRC’s robust
sales system that uses email and interpersonal outreach to promote and support adoption of our
suite of CHW/promotores training programs.
GRIN will intervene at a critical point in history to address extant dental health disparities
that are likely to be exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. As an online training on dental
care to increase CHW competencies in both in-person and virtual outreach to Black guardians,
GRIN can strive for the highest possible impact on reducing oral health disparities.