Abstract
Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify the related factors of dental caries and periodontal disease in adolescents from Korean multicultural families, thereby helping to reduce the prevalence rate of oral disease. Methods: The subjects were 710 multicultural adolescents recruited using a web-based survey, National 2015 Korean Youth Risk Behavior, from the Korean Center for Disease Control. A multicultural family was defined in this study as one having an immigrant mother or father. Oral symptoms included dental caries and periodontal disease. Toothache was defined as a symptom of dental caries. Tender or bleeding gums were defined as symptom of periodontal disease. For statistical analysis, Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 21.0 for Windows was used. Descriptive analysis and a Chi-square test were conducted to determine the factors associated with general characteristics, health behavior, and oral health behavior. Finally, to investigate the associations among oral disease symptoms, logistic regression analysis was performed. Results: Toothache was significantly higher in female 1.52 (95% CI; 1.45-1.60), high school 1.23 (95% CI; 1.18-1.28), women school 1.10 (95% CI; 1.05-1.16), individuals with poor economic status 1.45 (95% CI; 1.30-1.52), and participants who consumed alcohol 1.32 (95% CI; 1.27-1.37). Toothache related to perceived health status was significantly lower in the healthy group 0.69 (95% CI; 0.64-0.75), and was higher in usual stress group 1.65 (95% CI; 1.57-1.74). Gum bleeding was significantly higher in female 1.32 (95% CI; 1.27-1.37), high school 1.15 (95% CI; 1.10-1.19), and individuals with poor economic status 1.38 (95% CI; 1.27-1.50). Gum bleeding related to perceived health status was significantly lower in the healthy group 0.68 (95% CI; 0.63-0.74), and was higher in usual stress group 1.54 (95% CI; 1.46-1.62). Conclusions: Taking into account of social and economic levels, and dietary habits in the multicultural families adolescents, further education and support will be needed for oral disease prevention and early treatment.
Figures & Tables
Table 1. Oral symptoms related to the general characteristics Unit: N (%)
