Oral health-related cultural beliefs for four racial/ethnic groups: Assessment of the literature

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The purpose of this study was to assess information available in the dental literature on oral health-related cultural beliefs. In the US, as elsewhere, many racial/ethnic minority groups shoulder a disproportionate burden of oral di...

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Main Authors: Barker Judith C, Weintraub Jane A, Butani Yogita
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2008-09-01
Series:BMC Oral Health
Online Access:http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6831/8/26
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author Barker Judith C
Weintraub Jane A
Butani Yogita
author_facet Barker Judith C
Weintraub Jane A
Butani Yogita
author_sort Barker Judith C
collection DOAJ
description <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The purpose of this study was to assess information available in the dental literature on oral health-related cultural beliefs. In the US, as elsewhere, many racial/ethnic minority groups shoulder a disproportionate burden of oral disease. Cultural beliefs, values and practices are often implicated as causes of oral health disparities, yet little is known about the breadth or adequacy of literature about cultural issues that could support these assertions. Hence, this rigorous assessment was conducted of work published in English on cultural beliefs and values in relation to oral health status and dental practice. Four racial/ethnic groups in the US (African-American, Chinese, Filipino and Hispanic/Latino) were chosen as exemplar populations.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The dental literature published in English for the period 1980–2006 noted in the electronic database PUBMED was searched, using keywords and MeSH headings in different combinations for each racial/ethnic group to identify eligible articles. To be eligible the title and abstract when available had to describe the oral health-related cultural knowledge or orientation of the populations studied.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Overall, the majority of the literature on racial/ethnic groups was epidemiologic in nature, mainly demonstrating disparities in oral health rather than the oral beliefs or practices of these groups. A total of 60 relevant articles were found: 16 for African-American, 30 for Chinese, 2 for Filipino and 12 for Hispanic/Latino populations. Data on beliefs and practices from these studies has been abstracted, compiled and assessed. Few research-based studies were located. Articles lacked adequate identification of groups studied, used limited methods and had poor conceptual base.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The scant information available from the published dental and medical literature provides at best a rudimentary framework of oral health related ideas and beliefs for specific populations.</p>
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spelling doaj.art-646724ec29f84daab7c9ce6af5fffe5f2022-12-21T23:18:29ZengBMCBMC Oral Health1472-68312008-09-01812610.1186/1472-6831-8-26Oral health-related cultural beliefs for four racial/ethnic groups: Assessment of the literatureBarker Judith CWeintraub Jane AButani Yogita<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The purpose of this study was to assess information available in the dental literature on oral health-related cultural beliefs. In the US, as elsewhere, many racial/ethnic minority groups shoulder a disproportionate burden of oral disease. Cultural beliefs, values and practices are often implicated as causes of oral health disparities, yet little is known about the breadth or adequacy of literature about cultural issues that could support these assertions. Hence, this rigorous assessment was conducted of work published in English on cultural beliefs and values in relation to oral health status and dental practice. Four racial/ethnic groups in the US (African-American, Chinese, Filipino and Hispanic/Latino) were chosen as exemplar populations.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The dental literature published in English for the period 1980–2006 noted in the electronic database PUBMED was searched, using keywords and MeSH headings in different combinations for each racial/ethnic group to identify eligible articles. To be eligible the title and abstract when available had to describe the oral health-related cultural knowledge or orientation of the populations studied.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Overall, the majority of the literature on racial/ethnic groups was epidemiologic in nature, mainly demonstrating disparities in oral health rather than the oral beliefs or practices of these groups. A total of 60 relevant articles were found: 16 for African-American, 30 for Chinese, 2 for Filipino and 12 for Hispanic/Latino populations. Data on beliefs and practices from these studies has been abstracted, compiled and assessed. Few research-based studies were located. Articles lacked adequate identification of groups studied, used limited methods and had poor conceptual base.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The scant information available from the published dental and medical literature provides at best a rudimentary framework of oral health related ideas and beliefs for specific populations.</p>http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6831/8/26
spellingShingle Barker Judith C
Weintraub Jane A
Butani Yogita
Oral health-related cultural beliefs for four racial/ethnic groups: Assessment of the literature
BMC Oral Health
title Oral health-related cultural beliefs for four racial/ethnic groups: Assessment of the literature
title_full Oral health-related cultural beliefs for four racial/ethnic groups: Assessment of the literature
title_fullStr Oral health-related cultural beliefs for four racial/ethnic groups: Assessment of the literature
title_full_unstemmed Oral health-related cultural beliefs for four racial/ethnic groups: Assessment of the literature
title_short Oral health-related cultural beliefs for four racial/ethnic groups: Assessment of the literature
title_sort oral health related cultural beliefs for four racial ethnic groups assessment of the literature
url http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6831/8/26
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