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Dental beliefs, behaviors and health status among Pacific Asians and Caucasians
Author(s) -
Kiyak H. Asuman
Publication year - 1981
Publication title -
community dentistry and oral epidemiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.061
H-Index - 101
eISSN - 1600-0528
pISSN - 0301-5661
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0528.1981.tb01021.x
Subject(s) - medicine , ethnic group , oral health , disease , dental health , oral and maxillofacial pathology , dentistry , pathology , sociology , anthropology
A sample of 50 Caucasians and 46 Pacific Asians were asked to describe their beliefs regarding the causes and consequences of dental disease. The relation among dental beliefs, behaviors and oral health status was examined for each ethnic group. Although Caucasians had more accurate knowledge, they reported fewer health behaviors and had poorer oral health than Asians. Asians knew little about dental disease, but were motivated to maintain their teeth by a concern for esthetics, social acceptance and pain. The findings indicate that important cultural differences exist in dental behaviors, and are related to knowledge and motives.