Understanding oral health beliefs and practices among Cantonese-speaking older Australians.
OBJECTIVE
The present study was conducted to explore how older immigrants from Hong Kong or Southern China manage their oral health in Melbourne.


METHODS
We used six focus groups involving 50 Cantonese-speaking immigrants who were 55 years and over and living in Melbourne.


RESULTS
Four major themes relevant to oral health care emerged from the discussion: (i) traditional Chinese health beliefs; (ii) traditional medicine and oral health; (iii) attitudes towards dentists; and (iv) access to oral health-care services. Language, communication and cost of dentistry were identified as major barriers to oral health care.


CONCLUSIONS
Older Chinese immigrants in Melbourne have concerns about oral health care that are similar to other ethnic groups, they want more oral health-related support from government, and many of they return to China or Hong Kong for dental treatment.
Mariño
Rodrigo
R
Melbourne Dental School, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Minichiello
Victor
V
Macentee
Michael I
MI
D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D001315:Australia / Q000208:ethnology; D003729:Dental Care; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009909:Oral Health