HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Appendix Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in ISI Web of Science Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via ISI Web of Science (6) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Cruz, G.D. Articles by Tavares, M. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Cruz, G.D. Articles by Tavares, M.

Effect of Acculturation on Objective Measures of Oral Health in Haitian Immigrants in New York City

¹ Department of Epidemiology and Health Promotion, New York University College of Dentistry, 345 East 24th Street, New York, NY 10010, USA;
² New York University School of Medicine; and
³ The Forsyth Institute, Boston, MA, USA;

^* corresponding author, gdc1{at}nyu.edu

Acculturation is a complex phenomenon that can serve as a proxy for cultural norms and behaviors affecting care-seeking, prevention behaviors, and, ultimately, health outcomes. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of acculturation on the oral health of Haitian immigrants in New York City. We hypothesized that acculturation would be a predictor of the oral health status of the participating individuals. An acculturation scale was specifically developed and validated for this study. A sample of 425 adult Haitian immigrants living in NYC was obtained through outreach activities. Oral health examinations were conducted, and a questionnaire was administered to the participants. After adjustment for age, sex, education, income, and marital status, acculturation was negatively associated with measures of decayed teeth, periodontal attachment loss of 4 mm, and the number of missing teeth. Results suggest a positive impact of acculturation on the oral health status of these individuals.

KEY WORDS: acculturation • oral health • immigrants

This article has been cited by other articles:

				S. A. Fisher-Owens, S. A. Gansky, L. J. Platt, J. A. Weintraub, M.-J Soobader, M. D. Bramlett, and P. W. Newacheck Influences on Children's Oral Health: A Conceptual Model Pediatrics, September 1, 2007; 120(3): e510 - e520. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]