| 3509 Acculturation and Perceived Oral Health Among Haitian Immigrants in NYC | ||
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G.D. CRUZ1, R. SHORE2, M. TAVARES3, and R.Z. LE GEROS1, 1New York University College of Dentistry, USA, 2New York University, USA, 3Forsyth Institute, Boston, MA, USA Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of acculturation, sociodemographic characteristics and clinical findings on the self-perceived oral health of Haitian immigrants in New York City. Methods: A behavioral and self-identification acculturation scale was developed and validated for this study. The acculturation scale and a comprehensive sociodemographic survey were administered in both English and Haitian Creole. Self-perception of oral health was assessed separately for dental and periodontal health. Clinical examinations were performed by calibrated examiners, according to NIDCR criteria. A purposive sample of 523 (M=220; F=303) adults was obtained through community outreach activities. Trend tests and logistic regression were performed to examine the individual and combined effects of predictor variables on the self-perception of dental and periodontal health of the participants. Results: For self-perceived dental health, when both the sociodemographic and clinical variables were entered into a stepwise cumulative logistic model only age, sex and number of missing teeth emerged as independent predictors. When perceived general health was allowed to enter the model, only missing teeth and perceived general health were predictors. For self-perceived periodontal health, in a cumulative logistic model that potentially included both the sociodemographic and the measured periodontal variables, only acculturation was predictive of perceived periodontal health. When perceived general health was also included in the model it proved to be the only predictor. Conclusions: Acculturation is a predictor of self-perceived periodontal health but not self-perceived dental health in this population. The separate assessment of self-perceived dental and periodontal health may provide a better understanding of this important measure in immigrant populations. Supported by NIDCR grant no. DE10593 (Research Center for Minority Oral Health, NYUCD/Forsyth).
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| Seq #319 - Appearance, Perceived Needs, and Orthodontics 11:00 AM-12:15 PM, Saturday, 9 March 2002 San Diego Convention Center Exhibit Hall C | ||
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