Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene (한국치위생학회지)

Korean Society of Dental Hygiene (한국치위생학회)
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Related factors to dental care utilization and oral health status in immigrant workers in Korea

외국인 이주노동자의 구강건강수준과 치과 의료이용 관련요인

  • Nam, In-Suk (Department of Dental Hygiene, Gumi University) ;
  • Lee, Kyeong-Soo (Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, College of Medicine, Yeungnam University) ;
  • Jang, Eun-Jin (Department of Dental Technology, Daegu Health College)
  • 남인숙 (구미대학교 치위생과) ;
  • 이경수 (영남대학교 의과대학 예방의학교실) ;
  • 장은진 (대구보건대학교 치기공과)
  • Received : 2014.08.26
  • Accepted : 2015.01.26
  • Published : 2015.02.28
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Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of the study is to investigate the related factors to dental care utilization, oral health behaviors, and oral health status in immigrant workers in Korea. Methods: The subjects were 504 foreign immigrant male workers over 20 years old who visited Daegu labor consultation center for oral health survey and oral examination. The questionnaire included 5 questions of socioeconomic characteristics, 8 questions of oral health practice behavior, 6 questions of dental clinic visit, 8 questions of social relations and Korean language proficiency. The question for health behavior was measure by body mass index(BMI). Social relations and Korean language proficiency instrument was modified by Seol from "Family welfare survey in Korean international marriage" and scored by Liker 5 scale. Results: The oral health examination of the immigrant workers was as follows: decayed teeth - 76.6%, filling teeth - 27.4%, missing teeth - 69.8%, dental caries experience above five or more - 60.2%, periodontal pocket tissues - 58.9%. Simplified Oral Hygiene Index was very poor and accounted for 49.0%. Dental care utilization experience was closely associated with social relation indexes including attendance in family events, household stuff help, financial help and counseling for hard work(p<0.01). Dental care utilization experience proportionally increased with proficiency in Korean literacy including speaking, listening, and writing abilities of Korean language(p<0.01). Conclusions: In order to improve the oral health condition of the immigrant workers, it is important to provide social network, Korean language proficiency support, and health insurance coverage through economic burden reduction by the Korean government.

Keywords

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