Dental beliefs, knowledge and behaviour of Chinese people in the United Kingdom.

OBJECTIVE

This study explored oral health beliefs, knowledge and behaviour among a sample of United Kingdom Chinese.

DESIGN

A quota sample of Chinese people, stratified by age and gender, were interviewed by trained and standardised Chinese interviewers using a piloted, validated semi-structured questionnaire.

SUBJECTS

One hundred and fifty-six Chinese people--with similar number of teenagers, younger adults and older people--resident in the North East of England.

SETTING

Chinese communities.

OUTCOME MEASURE

Reported dental knowledge, beliefs and behaviours.

RESULTS

Regardless of gender and age, the majority of respondents believed that it was natural for people to lose all their teeth in old age. Less than half were convinced that they would be able to keep their own teeth for life. The majority of the sample considered that they were susceptible to dental diseases, the consequences of which were thought to be serious. Approximately half presumed that dental diseases were preventable, although the aetiology of dental caries, periodontal disease and tooth loss was poorly understood. While 94% claimed to brush their teeth as part of routine dental care, dental visiting and dietary restriction of sugar intake were reported only in 61% and 30% of the sample respectively. Inter-generational differences were marked; older people tended to have a fatalistic attitude and were least likely to attend the dentist.

CONCLUSIONS

A low level of dental awareness was found among the UK Chinese. In order to facilitate effective health promotion and treatment services, the extent of Chinese people's traditional oral health beliefs and behaviour must be taken into account.