Marcus M, Reifel N M, Nakazono T T
Section of Public Health Dentistry, School of Dentistry, University of California, Los Angeles 90095, USA.
Adv Dent Res. 1997 May;11(2):263-71. doi: 10.1177/08959374970110020901.
Clinically evaluated oral health outcome variables from the ICS-II USA data set were examined in the diverse ethnic groups, for two adult age cohorts (35-44 and 65-74 years). These measures were derived from epidemiological examinations and include the DMFT components, loss of attachment, and an indicator of treatment need--the ratio of decayed teeth over decayed and filled teeth. The ratio of decayed over decayed and filled teeth was used in multivariate analysis, since this measure represents an area where public policy could have an impact if determinants were understood. The most important independent variables were race-ethnicity, educational attainment, no fear of dental visits because of pain, and oral hygiene practices. Having a usual source of dental care and visiting the dentist within the past 12 months did not appear to be as important in predicting unmet needs as these other variables. To bridge the gap between the oral health status of majority and minority populations, health educators in minority communities need to become more accessible, have a pro-active interest in oral health, and also be cognizant of the various socio-cultural issues influencing oral health. The problems regarding Native American adults are more complex and require more careful study.
对来自美国ICS-II数据集的经过临床评估的口腔健康结果变量，在两个成年年龄组（35-44岁和65-74岁）的不同种族群体中进行了检查。这些指标来自流行病学检查，包括DMFT组成部分、附着丧失以及治疗需求指标——龋齿与龋补牙齿的比例。在多变量分析中使用了龋齿与龋补牙齿的比例，因为如果能理解决定因素，这一指标代表了公共政策可能产生影响的一个领域。最重要的自变量是种族、教育程度、不因疼痛而害怕看牙医以及口腔卫生习惯。在预测未满足的需求方面，有常规牙科护理来源以及在过去12个月内看过牙医似乎不如其他这些变量重要。为了弥合多数群体和少数群体口腔健康状况之间的差距，少数族裔社区的健康教育工作者需要更容易接触到，对口腔健康有积极的兴趣，并且还要认识到影响口腔健康的各种社会文化问题。美国原住民成年人的问题更为复杂，需要更仔细的研究。
