Dental Public Health, Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Prince Philip Dental Hospital, Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong.
J Immigr Minor Health. 2011 Apr;13(2):202-13. doi: 10.1007/s10903-010-9414-9.
The impact of acculturation on systemic health has been extensively investigated and is regarded as an important explanatory factor for health disparity. However, information is limited and fragmented on the oral health implications of acculturation. This study aimed to review the current evidence on the oral health impact of acculturation. Papers were retrieved from five electronic databases. Twenty-seven studies were included in this review. Their scientific quality was rated and key findings were summarized. Seventeen studies investigated the impacts of acculturation on the utilization of dental services; among them, 16 reported positive associations between at least one acculturation indicator and use of dental services. All 15 studies relating acculturation to oral diseases (dental caries and periodontal disease) suggested better oral health among acculturated individuals. Evidence is lacking to support that better oral health of acculturated immigrants is attributable to their improved dental attendance. Further researches involving other oral health behaviors and diseases and incorporating refined acculturation scales are needed. Prospective studies will facilitate the understanding on the trajectory of immigrants' oral health along the acculturation continuum.
文化适应对全身健康的影响已得到广泛研究，被认为是健康差异的一个重要解释因素。然而，关于文化适应对口腔健康影响的信息有限且零散。本研究旨在综述文化适应对口腔健康影响的现有证据。从五个电子数据库中检索到文献。本综述纳入了 27 项研究。对其进行了科学质量评价，并总结了主要发现。17 项研究调查了文化适应对牙科服务利用的影响；其中 16 项研究报告了至少一个文化适应指标与使用牙科服务之间存在正相关关系。所有 15 项与口腔疾病（龋齿和牙周病）相关的研究都表明，文化适应者的口腔健康状况更好。没有证据表明，移民的口腔健康状况因牙科就诊率提高而得到改善。需要开展涉及其他口腔健康行为和疾病的研究，并采用更精细的文化适应量表。前瞻性研究将有助于了解移民在文化适应连续体上的口腔健康轨迹。
