Oral disease beliefs, behaviors, and health status of Korean-Americans.

Abstract

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 less than .01) and preventive health orientation (P less than .002). Elderly had fewer teeth (P less than .0001), more decayed and filled root surfaces (P less than .05 and P less than .004, respectively), and more decayed and filled coronal surfaces (P less than .001 and P less than .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 less than .0001). Gingival status was also worse for the elderly, on distal and mesial (P less than .01), facial (P less than .01), and lingual (P less than .01) surfaces. These differences are striking, since the elderly reported visiting the dentist more recently (P less than .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.