262767 Oral health indicators and treatment needs of a group of Asian and Pacific Islander children

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Su-yan L. Barrow, RDH, MA, MPH, PhD , Bachelor Oral Health, Population Oral Health, Melbourne Dental School, Victoria, Australia
Little is known about the oral health needs of Asia Pacific Islander children (API). OBJECTIVE: This study examined the oral health status and treatment needs among a sample of API 3rd Graders in New York City from 2002-2003. The use of dental services by the API children is presented. METHODS: This study reported findings on a group of 250 API children from public and private schools. Oral examinations were conducted by calibrated examiners using mirrors and WHO ball-ended probes. Oral health data included presence of debris and/or calculus, dental treatment needs, dental sealants and utilization of dental services. Descriptive statistics were performed to identify characteristics of the sample. RESULTS: Mean age of the participants was 8.2 years (SD = 0.60) and 51.8% (n = 129) were male. The majority n = 167, 66.8% exhibited the presence of debris/calculus on their teeth. Results indicated 43.6% (n = 109) had evidence of unmet dental needs. Only 32 (12.8%) received dental sealants. 149 (62.9%) of the caregivers reported their children received regular dental care, and 141 (66.5%) had a dental visit within a 12-month period. Over 84% (n = 174) did not have any problems or delays in getting a dental appointments. 190 (80.9%) had dental insurance coverage. CONCLUSION: This group of API children exhibited high unmet preventive dental needs, in contrast with the caregivers' reports of their child's annual dental visits. This research highlights the need to promote oral health awareness that is essential to decrease oral health disparities.

Learning Areas:
Epidemiology

Learning Objectives:
At the end of the presentation, participants will be able to: 1. Describe the unmet oral health needs of Asian and Pacific Islander children in New York City 2. Recognize the need to increase the oral health awareness of Asian groups to eliminate oral health disparities

Keywords: Asian and Pacific Islander, Oral Health Needs

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been an academic and researcher in the field of dentistry/dental hygiene/dental assisting for over 26 years. Currently I hold the position of Senior Lecturer and Second year Coordinator, Bachelor Oral Health Program, Melbourne Dental School, Australia as well as the Program Coordinator for the Minimal Intervention Dentistry Pilot Project for Dental Health Services Victoria. Formerly, I was the Dental Hygiene Baccalaureate Program Coordinator at New York University College of Dentistry.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 2085.0: Epidemiology of Oral Diseases and Oral Health Disparities