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Perceptions of dental care need among African‐American elders: implications for health promotion
Author(s) -
Slaughter Ann,
Taylor Lynne
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
special care in dentistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.328
H-Index - 41
eISSN - 1754-4505
pISSN - 0275-1879
DOI - 10.1111/j.1754-4505.2005.tb01427.x
Subject(s) - medicine , dental care , family medicine , compromise , health care , oral health , promotion (chess) , health promotion , gerontology , nursing , public health , social science , sociology , politics , political science , law , economics , economic growth
Abstrct The aim of this study was to assess perceived dental care need, actual clinical need and the relationship between these variables and care‐seeking behavior I among community residing African‐ American elders. A convenience sample of 146 elders responded to a survey and participated in oral screenings at six I senior centers. Elders were categorized as needing routine dental care, some dental care, or urgent dental care. Most (61%) required dental care with one‐fourth having urgent dental care needs. Elders reporting a problem tended to seek dental care more often within a year (38%) than those not reporting a problem (27%). Sixty‐four percent did not currently have a dental provider. The majority (83%) rated their general health as being fair or good and few (9%) reported oral pain. These findings suggest developing health promotion programs that emphasize non‐painful oral signs and symptoms, accompanied by associated general health implications that may compromise overall health.