Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #105548

Naty Lopez, BSN, MEd, PhD¹, Rose Wadenya, BDS, MS, DMD¹, and Peter Berthold, DDS, PhD, DMD². (1) Community Oral Health/WHO Collaborating Center, University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, 240 South 40th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6003, 215-898 0558, lopeznb@pobox.upenn.edu, (2) School of Dental Medicine/WHO Collaborating Center, University of Pennsylvania, 240 South 40th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6003

AIM: The study aims to describe oral health status and practices of a group of African immigrants in Philadelphia and describe the relationship between acculturation and use of dental services. Results can be useful in the dental education and health policy. METHODS: Focus groups with selected women immigrants explored beliefs, practices and problems related to their oral health. Responses were used to formulate a questionnaire to survey participants in a health fair. RESULTS: Responses were analyzed from 98 immigrants, mean age 34.5 years, originated from 20 countries with only 36% speaking English; 76% have completed high school (35% with college courses); 67% work 20 plus hours weekly. Although 73% claim to brush their teeth daily, 68% need urgent care, 70% suffer from pain in the mouth, 62% have gum problems and 59% have untreated dental decay. Only 14% carry dental insurance and most seek care in private offices or hospitals (61%). Responses from focus groups differ from those surveyed. Correlational analyses show that those who have lived in the U.S for 4 years or less and who can communicate in English appear to have better oral health and are most likely to get dental checkup. CONCLUSIONS: This group may not be representative of African immigrants, however, significant findings point out the need for health care providers and policy makers to be aware of the diversity in characteristics and needs among African immigrants and integrate these in health promotion and delivery of care.

Learning Objectives:

• To describe oral health status and practices of a group of African immigrants and determine the relationship between acculturation and use of dental services in this group.

Keywords: Immigrants, Oral Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.