Oral health service needs and barriers for Chinese migrants in the Wellington area.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the perceived dental care needs of Chinese migrants in the Wellington area, in order to identify possible barriers preventing access to dental services and thus provide information for oral health practitioners and policymakers.

DESIGN: A small-scale explorative qualitative study.

SETTING: Chinese community in the greater Wellington

PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: Four dental providers and 21 Chinese migrants from the Wellington area were interviewed in their mother language. Taped interviews were transcribed and the transcripts subsequently analysed to identify the main themes.

RESULTS: Chinese migrants in Wellington have high dental disease prevalence, but very low perceived needs and low access to dental services. Eight barriers were identified: (1) the cost of dental care; (2) language problems; (3) a lack of knowledge of dental health; (4) a low priority given to oral health care; (5) mixed attitudes towards dentists; (6) lack of information; (7) difficulties in making appointments; and (8) transportation impediments. Many Chinese migrants had a 'Holiday Treatment Plan', deferring timely treatment until their next trip home.

CONCLUSIONS: The findings fail to show whether Chinese migrants have benefited from government health policies. They face many barriers to improve access rate to dental services. Acculturation might also influence their dental behaviours. This study has implications for both dental practitioners and policy makers, who need to be aware of the range of issues facing Chinese migrants. Further investigation is needed.