Barriers to accessing dental care among rural Latinos: Effects of length of residence

While the topic of barriers to accessing medical care among Latino populations has been increasingly studied, relatively little is known about access barriers concerning dental care in this population, especially for those residing in rural areas. In this study, we report on barriers to accessing dental care that Latinos living in rural Illinois identified. In addition, we assess the association between length of residence in the United States and self reported barriers to accessing dental care services. A general health care needs assessment survey, that included oral health, was designed and administered to Latino participants (n=894) living in seven non-metropolitan Illinois counties between 2005 and 2006. The survey, administered in Spanish, used convenience sampling techniques for data collection. Findings reveal differences in dental care access according to length of residence in US. Shorter periods of residence were associated with reduced frequency of dental visits, lack of dental and health insurance, and self reported language barriers in gaining access to dental care. In addition, seventy six percent of recent immigrants report visiting the dentist “only when they have a dental problem” compared to 60% of those who are more established. Newly arrived Latino immigrants experience a greater lack of dental care, including not having a regular source of care, smaller number of visits, and lack of insurance, compared to immigrants with longer lengths of residence. They also face more acculturation and language barriers than more established Latino populations when attempting to access dental care.