title: Hmong adults self-rated oral health: a pilot study.
abstract: Since 1975, the Hmong refugee population in the U.S. has increased over 200%. However, little is known about their dental needs or self-rated oral health (SROH). The study aims were to: (1) describe the SROH, self-rated general health (SRGH), and use of dental/physician services; and (2) identify the factors associated with SROH among Hmong adults. A cross-sectional study design with locating sampling methodology was used. Oral health questionnaire was administered to assess SROH and SRGH, past dental and physician visits, and language preference. One hundred twenty adults aged 18-50+ were recruited and 118 had useable information. Of these, 49% rated their oral health as poor/fair and 30% rated their general health as poor/fair. Thirty-nine percent reported that they did not have a regular source of dental care, 46% rated their access to dental care as poor/fair, 43% visited a dentist and 66% visited a physician within the past 12 months. Bivariate analyses demonstrated that access to dental care, past dental visits, age and SRGH were significantly associated with SROH (P < 0.05). Multivariate analyses demonstrated a strong association between access to dental care and good/excellent SROH. About half of Hmong adults rated their oral health and access to dental care as poor. Dental insurance, access to dental care, past preventive dental/physician visits and SRGH were associated with SROH.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Services, Room 356, Marquette University School of Dentistry, P.O. Box 1881, Milwaukee, WI 53201, USA. christopher.okunseri@marquette.edu
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Okunseri
authors.forename: Marcie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Cesar
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gonzalez
authors.forename: Warren
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: LeMay
authors.forename: Anthony M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Iacopino
mesh_terms: D001210:Asia, Southeastern / Q000208:ethnology; D003729:Dental Care / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003753:Dental Health Surveys; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009909:Oral Health; D009910:Oral Hygiene / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012647:Self-Assessment; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014076:Tooth Diseases / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D014481:United States