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Ethnic differences in treatment preferences among adults in East London

British Dental Journal (2021)Cite this article

Abstract

Aim To explore ethnic differences in treatment preferences among adults.

Methods A sample of 1,764 adults from ten ethnic groups were recruited from the adult population in Outer North East London using stratified multistage random sampling. Treatment preferences for a front tooth, a back tooth and an aching back tooth were collected via questionnaires. Ethnic differences in treatment preferences were assessed in regression models adjusting for demographic characteristics, socioeconomic indicators, dental visiting behaviour and clinical dental status.

Results Ethnic differences in treatment preferences were observed, albeit only for back not front teeth. Compared to White British, Black African (odds ratio: 0.85; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.74-0.97), Caribbean (0.71; 95% CI: 0.51-0.98) and Other (0.73; 95% CI: 0.61-0.87) were less likely to preserve a back tooth. If the back tooth was aching, Black Others were still less likely (0.82; 95% CI: 0.71-0.93) to opt for restorative than surgical treatment. On the contrary, Bangladeshi were more likely (1.14; 95% CI: 1.06-1.22) to preserve a painful back tooth than White British.

Conclusion Differences in treatment preferences were found among ethnic groups, suggesting that cultural background might influence the choices made and the value placed on dental extractions versus restorative treatment.

Key points

  • Treatment preferences represent a significant element in people's attitudes to the way they value their oral health.

  • This paper reviews the scarce literature on differences in treatment preferences by ethnicity.

  • It discusses potential explanations for ethnic differences in treatment preferences.

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Acknowledgements

The ELOHI study was a collaboration between the Institute of Dentistry at Queen Mary University of London and the Primary Care Trusts of Barking and Dagenham, Redbridge and Waltham Forest. The Barking and Dagenham, Redbridge and Waltham Forest Community Services provided partial funding for the implementation of the study. We thank all participants and the fieldwork team.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dental Public Health Group, Faculty of Dentistry, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, King´s College London, London, UK; Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust, Kent, UK

    Sanober Naz

  2. Dental Public Health Group, Faculty of Dentistry, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, King´s College London, London, UK

    Eduardo Bernabe

  3. Affordable Health Initiative, London, UK

    Wagner Marcenes

  4. Dental Public Health Group, Faculty of Dentistry, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, King´s College London, London, UK; Facultad de Odontología, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru

    Elsa Karina Delgado-Angulo

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  1. Sanober Naz
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  2. Eduardo Bernabe
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  4. Elsa Karina Delgado-Angulo
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Correspondence to Elsa Karina Delgado-Angulo.

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Naz, S., Bernabe, E., Marcenes, W. et al. Ethnic differences in treatment preferences among adults in East London. Br Dent J (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-020-2597-0

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