Dental caries experience, tooth loss, and factors associated with unmet needs of Haitian immigrants in New York City.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to characterize the dental caries experience, tooth loss, and unmet need of a group of Haitian immigrant residents of New York City.

METHODS: A purposive sample of 523 adults was obtained through community outreach activities during 1997-98. Clinical examinations were performed by calibrated examiners, according to NIDCR criteria. A comprehensive survey also was administered to all the participants.

RESULTS: For the whole group, the mean number of missing teeth was 2.64 (SD = 4.12), the mean DMFT = 6.05 (SD = 5.26), the mean DMFS = 18.80 (SD = 21.04), and the mean DFS = 5.58 (SD = 6.17). Seventeen percent of the subjects had all their teeth sound, 59 percent had at least one tooth missing, 60 percent had at least one decayed tooth, and only 38 percent had restorations. Multivariate analyses showed that age, sex, education, dental insurance, frequency of dental visits, and dental floss use were predictors of unmet need.

CONCLUSIONS: Although results showed a relatively low caries experience among this group of Haitian immigrants, the unmet need was very high. Furthermore, the tooth loss experience was relatively high for all age groups, further denoting a lack of access to preventive and restorative services.