Sociocultural influences upon preventive health behavior and attitudes towards dentistry.

One hundred eighty adults who presented for general dental care at an urban dental school clinic were interviewed and given epidemiological screening examinations. The findings presented include a profile of a clinic population with respect to ethnic identity, family income, education, nuclear family structure, and residence. The two major racial groups (black and white) are found to have highly significant differences in their perception of dental services and their experiences with dental disease and treatment. An assessment of dental health status indicates that whites were more likely to have filled teeth, and blacks, decayed or unfilled teeth. This relates to different patterns in seeking recent preventive dental services and a marked disparity in utilization early in life. Fear and anxiety about dental care, degree of orientation towards prevention and differences in exposure to preventive information varied with race. Consumerist orientation is examined in terms of willingness to criticize services, be cared for by auxiliary health workers and accept professional fees. The identification of diversity in perception and values with respect to dental health care is characterized as an element in developing understanding between providers and consumers.