Comparison of Dental Care Utilization among Chinese- and Russian-Speaking Immigrant Elders

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Bei Wu, Associate Professor (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/

Abstract: Objective: The purpose of the study was to identify factors predictive of use of dental services among Chinese - and Russian- speaking immigrant elders. Methods: The data for this analysis were collected from the 1997 survey 'Assessing public health and health care needs of Russian-speaking elderly immigrants." A similar survey was replicated among Chinese-speaking elderly immigrants in 2000. Community-based samples of 300 Russian elders and 177 Chinese elders were recruited for the study Results: Chinese elders used dental care services at lower rates than Russian elders. Education, length of stay in the US, social support, and smoking behavior were significant predictors for the use of dental services among Chinese. However, among Russian elders, age, income, and denture use predicted utilization of dental services. Conclusions: Although Chinese- and Russian-speaking elders have similar immigrant experiences and share the same geographic location and urban setting, the two groups have different patterns of dental service use. These differences may be due to differences in socio-demo-graphic characteristics, values, attitudes and knowledge of oral health and dental care, and unique cultural backgrounds.

Additional Information

Publication
The Journal of Public Health Dentistry, 65(2), 97-103
Language: English
Date: 2005
Keywords
Chinese-speaking immigrant elders, Russian-speaking immigrant elders, Dental care services, Oral health

Email this document to