An Oral Health Survey of the Lumbee Tribe in Southeastern North Carolina

Pamela L. Wells; Daniel J. Caplan; Ronald P. Strauss; Danny Bell; Mary George

Abstract

Purpose: The Lumbee tribe, North Carolina's largest American Indian tribe, is located in Robeson County, where there is an access to dental care crisis. There is a high incidence of systemic diseases, including coronary heart disease (CHD) and diabetes. The tribe also has a higher rate of adverse pregnancy outcomes compared to Caucasian populations. There is little information available regarding the oral health of this population. The aim of this study was to evaluate access to dental care issues, oral health knowledge and oral health–related quality of life of the Lumbee tribe.

Methods: A self–administered survey was developed to assess factors influencing access to dental care, oral health knowledge and oral health–related quality of life. The survey was administered to a convenience sample of 118 Lumbee Indians at the Lumbee Homecoming Festival in Pembroke, NC.

Results: Barriers to accessing dental care included being unable to leave work to find a dentist and cost of dental services. Many believed that it is natural to lose teeth as one ages. There was low oral health knowledge regarding oral and systemic health. Oral Health–related quality of life was affected. There was an association between poor access to dental care and poor oral health–related quality of life.

Conclusion: Lumbee Indians reported barriers to accessing dental care. There was a significant relationship between difficulty accessing dental care and poor oral health–related quality of life.

Footnotes

Pamela Wells, RDH, MS, is a practicing dental hygienist in Chapel Hill, NC. Daniel Caplan, DDS, PhD is the Professor and Chair, Department of Preventive & Community Dentistry, University of Iowa College of Dentistry, Iowa City, IA. Ronald Strauss DMD, PhD, Executive Associate Provost, Office of Provost of Academic Affairs. Danny Bell Social Research Assistant, American Studies. Mary George RDH, MEd, Associate Professor, Department of Dental Ecology, all at the University of North Carolina School of Dentistry.
This study supports the NDHRA priority area, Health Promotion/Disease Prevention: Investigate how diversity among populations impacts the promotion of oral health and preventive behaviors.