title: Oral health status and the epidemiologic paradox within Latino immigrant groups.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  According to the United States census, there are 28 categories that define "Hispanic/Latinos." This paper compares differences in oral health status between Mexican immigrants and other Latino immigrant groups.
  
  
  METHODS
  Derived from a community-based sample (N = 240) in Los Angeles, this cross-sectional study uses an interview covering demographic and behavioral measures, and an intraoral examination using NIDCR epidemiologic criteria. Descriptive, bivariate analysis, and multiple regression analysis were conducted to examine the determinants that are associated with the Oral Health Status Index (OHSI).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mexican immigrants had a significantly higher OHSI (p < .05) compared to other Latinos. The multilinear regression showed that both age and gender (p < .05), percentage of untreated decayed teeth (p < .001), number of replaced missing teeth (p < .001), and attachment loss (p < .001) were significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Compared with the other Latino immigrants in our sample, Mexican immigrants have significantly better oral health status. This confirms the epidemiologic paradox previously found in comparisons of Mexicans with whites and African Americans. In this case of oral health status the paradox also occurs between Mexicans and other Latinos. Therefore, when conducting oral health studies of Latinos, more consideration needs to be given to differences within Latino subgroups, such as their country of origin and their unique ethnic and cultural characteristics.
authors.affiliation: Division of Public Health and Community Dentistry, School of Dentistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA. vspolsky@dentistry.ucla.edu
authors.forename: Vladimir W
authors.initials: VW
authors.lastname: Spolsky
authors.forename: Marvin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marcus
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Der-Martirosian
authors.forename: Ian D
authors.initials: ID
authors.lastname: Coulter
authors.forename: Carl A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Maida
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004245:DMF Index; D003742:Dental Devices, Home Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017266:Dental Prosthesis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004522:Educational Status; D016021:Epidemiologic Studies; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006304:Health Status; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015141:Los Angeles / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D017058:Mexican Americans / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009909:Oral Health; D009910:Oral Hygiene / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017622:Periodontal Attachment Loss / Q000453:epidemiology; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D014076:Tooth Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016388:Tooth Loss / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult