Abstract
Aims: Substantial evidence suggests that there are ethnic disparities in the prevalence, treatment, development and outcomes of pain. Ethnic disparities in oral health have also been observed especially in the prevalence of dental caries and periodontal diseases. Immigrant groups overall have a lower socioeconomic position than the native population, this poses the question are ethnic inequalities the result of the lower socioeconomic position alone, or does ethnic background also play a role? Aim: The main aim of this study is to explore whether there are ethnic disparities in dental pain within a national sample of English dentate adults.
Methods: The project will be based on secondary analysis of data from the Health Survey for England (1999 to 2005) which selected a new, nationally representative, random sample of private households (16 years and above Bangladeshi, Black African, Black Caribbean, Chinese, Indian, Irish, or Pakistani origin, the largest non-mixed minority ethnic groups in England) using two-stage, stratified probability sampling. Statistical evaluation will be performed with logistic regression models and weighted analysis. Interaction tests between SEP indicators and ethnicity will also be explored. As it will be an analysis of secondary data in which no individuals can be identified, ethics approval was not sought.
Results and Conclusion: Data analysis will be conducted between March and May as part of the MSc in Dental Public Health programme which the presenter is currently undertaking; it is hoped that results will be available by the end of May and can be presented at the EADPH Vilnius conference.
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