An ethnographic study for understanding children's oral health in a multicultural community.
OBJECTIVE
To provide guidance for a public health intervention in a high caries rate multicultural population by understanding cultural issues surrounding children's oral health.


METHODS
Seven community focus groups were conducted with five ethnic populations (Chamorro, Filipino, Carolinian, Pohnpean, and Chuukese) living on the island of Saipan, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, USA. Participants were asked questions about their beliefs, attitudes, knowledge, and care practices regarding issues around children's oral health.


RESULTS
Analysis consisted of a content review of participants' responses within two targeted areas: past and current attitudes and health beliefs, and behaviours impacting risk of developing disease. Both the lack of value of baby teeth and negative parental experiences are factors underlying health beliefs and behaviours. Although some differences in beliefs and practices existed across cultural groups, most women were interested in learning about new preventive strategies to reduce dental disease. Several new mothers reported that they actively sought out parenting information during their initial pregnancy.


CONCLUSIONS
Aversive parental experience and disregard for primary dentition were identified as serious obstacles to be addressed in order for any new programme to be effective. Despite these obstacles, new mothers were open to information and strategies to reduce the prevalence of early childhood caries.
Riedy
C A
CA
Department of Dental Public Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle 98195-7475, USA. cariedy@u.washington.edu
Weinstein
P
P
Milgrom
P
P
Bruss
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000884:Anthropology, Cultural; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D002669:Child Welfare / Q000208:ethnology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D018864:Cultural Diversity; D019140:Dental Care for Children; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D005006:Ethnicity; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D015438:Health Behavior; D006267:Health Education, Dental; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007225:Infant Food; D008849:Micronesia / Q000208:ethnology; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D009035:Mothers / Q000193:education; D009909:Oral Health; D016487:Parenting; D011247:Pregnancy; D012309:Risk-Taking; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous; D014099:Toothbrushing