Oral Health Disparities among Asians in the U.S.: The Role of household Language

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the oral health disparities between Asian Americans and whites by examining the roles of household language, immigrant status, and socioeconomic status in access to dental care and their effects on oral health status.  Data were drawn from the 2011-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). All analyses were stratified by whites, Asians who speak English at home, and Asians who do not speak English at home. Coefficient tests were employed to reveal differences between Asians and whites. The results suggested that Asians who speak English at home presented higher socioeconomic status (SES) and better oral health status than whites, whereas Asians who do not speak English at home presented fewer dentist visits, more missing teeth, and lower socioeconomic status. Higher education and family income played more significantly protective roles in dental care access and oral health status for whites than for each Asian language group.