Dr. Horowitz Advocates for Improved Health Literacy as John C. Greene Lecturer

Dental schools in the U.S. = 60
Dental hygiene schools in the U.S. = 200
Schools to learn how to be a patient = 0

It's a point that Dr. Alice Horowitz uses to highlight the communication gap that is common between doctors and their patients - a product of poor health literacy. The health system places a great deal of expectations on patients that can often be frustrating and confusing: expectations to read, understand, and complete many kinds of forms; articulate their signs and symptoms; understand diagnoses and instructions for treatment; and know about various types of health professionals, what services they provide and how to access those services, just to name a few.

Frustration and confusion resulting from these sorts of expectations often lead to people not seeking appropriate medical help. As the John C. Greene lecturer in Dental Research at the Scientific Session of the UCSF Dental Alumni Association last month, Dr. Horowitz listed the health complications that are rampant among the populations of lowest health literacy, and the steps that can be taken to improve this.

Studies show that people of limited health literacy are more likely to skip preventative measures like mammograms, pap smears, flu shots, flouride toothpaste and preventative dental appointments. They are also more likely to have a chronic condition, and less likely to be knowledgeable about their disease or to manage it effectively.

Oral health literacy has received more national attention over the past decade, highlighted by a national call to action. The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, where Horowitz was once appointed, sponsored the first ever workshop for oral health literacy in 2004; researchers took steps to develop measurement techniques for oral health literacy; and the American Dental Association established the National Oral Health Literacy Advisory Committee, among other actions.

But Dr. Horowitz also provided tips for individual doctors to improve communication with their patients:
* Use plain language for written and oral instructions, listing the important points first, breaking complex information into chunks, and defining technical terms
* Self-assess your office/clinic
* Provide staff training to ensure your clinic is user friendly
* Urge patients to ask questions
* Urge patients to bring a friend/relative
* Have patients repeat treatment instructions, to ensure they understand
* Ask patient how they like to learn
* Urge improved health literacy throughout K-12 school systems

"We may not be able to change habits of all our patients, but we can change ours," Dr. Horowitz concluded.

Dr. Horowitz poses with the lectureship organizers and Emeritus Dean John C. Greene, the honoree of Dr. Horowitz's lecture. From left to right: Jane Weintraub, Peter Sargent, John C. Greene, Alice Horowitz, Bill Bird and Carolyn Damsky. Greene was the first non-physician to serve as Deputy U.S. Surgeon General. During his service he was Chief Dental Officer and Rear Admiral. *** "It is a tremendous honor for me. Dr. Greene is a well recognized researcher in dental public health," Dr. Horowitz said of the honor.