Australian Dental Journal
Volume 52, Issue 3, 2007, Pages 198-204

Profile of the oral health among ambulant older Greek and Italian migrants living in Melbourne (Article)

Mariño R.* , Calache H. , Wright C. , Morgan M. , Schofield M. , Minichiello V.
  • a Cooperative Research Centre for Oral Health Science, University of Melbourne, Vic., Australia, Cooperative Research Centre for Oral Health Science, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic. 3010, Australia
  • b Dental Heath Services Victoria, Melbourne, Australia
  • c Centre for Oral Health Strategy, NSW Health, NSW, Australia
  • d School of Dental Science, University of Melbourne, Vic., Australia
  • e Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
  • f School of Health, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia

Abstract

Background: Over the last 50 years an increasing number of migrants have settled in Australia. These immigrants now constitute a large proportion of the Australian population, and some research suggests that they may be at high-risk for oral diseases. Methods: This paper presents data on the oral health status of a convenience sample of 721 ambulant Greek- (n=367) and Italian-born (n=354) adults aged 55 years or older. The volunteer participants were recruited through ethnic social clubs located in Melbourne, Australia. Results: The sample was largely a dentate one (83.6 per cent); with a mean DMFS score of 67.5 (s.d. 37.4). Dentate participants had 13 per cent of their restorative care unmet, and 57.3 per cent needed oral hygiene instruction plus removal of stain and hard deposits on their teeth. Almost 8 per cent required complex periodontal therapy and 30 per cent of those fully edentulous were in need of full dentures. Conclusions: Comparing these findings with existing data on oral health of older adults in Australia, the participants in this study appear to have lower DMFS scores and a higher prevalence of gingivitis, but less need for complex periodontal treatment. Inequalities were apparent in the proportion of unmet restorative and prosthetics needs.

Author Keywords

Treatment needs Migrants oral health status older adults

Index Keywords

mouth disease Australia Oral Health Health Status Disparities Sampling Studies Dental Calculus human epidemiology middle aged statistics tooth calculus DMF index health service health status periodontal disease Aged Victoria Mouth, Edentulous Periodontal Attachment Loss ethnology Health Services Needs and Demand health Humans male Emigrants and Immigrants female Greece dental caries Periodontal Index periodontics Article adult migration Italy health survey
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-35248856452&doi=10.1111%2fj.1834-7819.2007.tb00489.x&partnerID=40&md5=1b9d68b03e1039c758fd3c397e892475
DOI: 10.1111/j.1834-7819.2007.tb00489.x
ISSN: 00450421
Cited by: 9
Original Language: English