Journal of Medical and Dental Sciences
Volume 53, Issue 1, 2006, Pages 27-33

A comparative study of oral health status in a Migrant / Japanese sample (Article)

Otsuru J.* , Ueno M. , Shinada K. , Spolsky V.W. , Maida C.A. , Kawaguchi Y.
  • a Department of Oral Health Promotion, Graduate School, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Japan, Minatomachi Dental Clinic, Kanagawa Workers' Medical Cooperative, Japan, Department of Oral Health Promotion, Graduate School, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45, Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8549, Japan
  • b Department of Oral Health Promotion, Graduate School, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Japan
  • c Department of Oral Health Promotion, Graduate School, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Japan
  • d Division of Public Health and Community Dentistry, School of Dentistry, University of California, United States
  • e Division of Public Health and Community Dentistry, School of Dentistry, University of California, United States
  • f Department of Oral Health Promotion, Graduate School, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Japan

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the oral health status of migrants to Japan with that of Japanese using the questionnaire and the Oral Health Status Index (OHSI). Methods: The questionnaire for collecting demographic and behavioral variables and the OHSI were applied in a mixed migrant/Japanese sample of patients from a dental clinic in Yokohama. A sample of 224 subjects, 52% of whom were migrants, was selected from new patients. Results: The mean OHSI scores were 78.56 for migrants and 83.16 for Japanese (p<0.01). Multiple regression analysis of OHSI showed that the statistically significant contributors were: age, status (migrants / Japanese), reason for initial visit, perceived oral health, and flossing behavior. Conclusion: The oral health status of migrants was worse than that of Japanese even though they were younger than Japanese. The present public support system for foreign patients and their self-care behavior were considered to be the factors for the inequity in oral health status.

Author Keywords

Oral health related factor Oral Health Status Index International health migrant Acculturation

Index Keywords

regression analysis Oral Health nonparametric test Statistics, Nonparametric human Dental Calculus middle aged statistics tooth calculus DMF index health status periodontal disease Tooth Loss Periodontal Attachment Loss health Humans Adolescent male Japan female questionnaire dental caries Periodontal Index periodontics Article Questionnaires adult migration Transients and Migrants health survey
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-33645671729&partnerID=40&md5=5a6bb60f71076273782a9a4f124adef7
ISSN: 13428810
Cited by: 4
Original Language: English