Oral Health Disparities in Latino Preschool Children
Author Information
Author(s): Judith C. Barker, Sarah B. Horton
Primary Institution: University of California San Francisco
Hypothesis
What societal factors contribute to oral health disparities among low-income, rural Latino preschool children?
Conclusion
Multiple societal factors intersect to create and sustain poor oral health care for Latino children in rural California.
Supporting Evidence
- Latino children have the highest rates of early childhood caries in the US.
- Many caregivers do not recognize dental caries as a disease.
- Access to dental care is complicated by fluctuating public health insurance eligibility.
- Community resources and infrastructure significantly impact access to care.
- Language barriers hinder effective communication between caregivers and dental providers.
Takeaway
Latino kids in rural California have a hard time getting dental care because of many reasons, like not having enough money or transportation.
Methodology
Ethnographic study involving observations and in-depth interviews with caregivers and key informants.
Potential Biases
Potential biases in caregiver reporting and the limited perspectives of key informants.
Limitations
The study is based on a single community, which may limit the generalizability of the findings.
Participant Demographics
Participants included 47 primary caregivers, predominantly Spanish-speaking mothers, with a mean age of 30.5 years, mostly of Mexican origin.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website