Preventive oral health behaviors among African-Americans and whites in Detroit

Abstract

Objective: This study compared the preventive oral health behaviors of African-Americans and whites.

Methods: Face-to-face interviews were conducted with a probability sample of 384 African-American and 358 white adults living in the greater Detroit area. Questions focused on brushing, flossing, and dental visits.

Results: More than 95 percent of both groups reported brushing daily; however, whites were more likely to brush all teeth, including parts that do not show. Frequency of flossing did not differ between groups. African-Americans, however, were less likely to floss all of their teeth. Whites were more likely than African-Americans to get dental check-ups at least once a year and much less likely to indicate they had never had a dental check-up. African-Americans tended to have less education and lower family income than whites and were more likely than whites to have Medicaid. Race differences in brushing thoroughness and annual check-ups were greatly reduced when income, education, and insurance were controlled statistically.

Conclusions: African-Americans are less likely than whites to brush thoroughly, floss thoroughly, and get dental check-ups. These differences are partly traceable to differences in socioeconomic status and access to professional oral health care.