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Oral Disease Beliefs, Behaviors, and Health Status of Korean‐Americans
Author(s) -
Lee Josephine,
Kiyak H. Asuman
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
journal of public health dentistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.64
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1752-7325
pISSN - 0022-4006
DOI - 10.1111/j.1752-7325.1992.tb02258.x
Subject(s) - medicine , oral health , ethnic group , dentistry , coronal plane , root caries , periodontal disease , gerontology , sociology , anthropology , radiology
Previous research with other ethnic minorities has shown that culture and age cohort, as well as language and economic limitations, act as barriers to obtaining dental care and maintaining good oral health. This study compared self‐reported oral health attitudes, self‐efficacy, and dental practices of 20 younger and 23 elderly Korean‐Americans. Oral assessments were also conducted to determine plaque and gingival status, and root and coronal caries. Significant differences emerged in health self‐efficacy (P < .01) and preventive health orientation (P < .002). Elderly had fewer teeth (P < .0001), more decayed and filled root surfaces (P < .05 and P < .004, respectively), and more decayed and filled coronal surfaces (P < .001 and P < .03). Both groups showed higher levels of distal and mesial plaque than occlusal and cervical plaque; however, the elderly had higher rates of both (P < .0001). Gingival status was also worse for the elderly, on distal and mesial (P < .01), facial (P < .01), and lingual (P < .01) surfaces. These differences are striking, since the elderly reported visiting the dentist more recently (P < .0001); but most of these visits were for prosthodontic and emergency care. Better preventive dental care and education are necessary for elderly immigrants who have not been exposed to preventive dentistry in their home countries.