And the finding holds true no matter how long that immigrant has been in the country, researchers from New York University College of Dentistry say.

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In what is touted as the largest-ever study on the oral health of immigrants, the NYU researchers analysed tooth decay and periodontal disease rates in more than 1 500 Chinese, Haitian, Indian, West Indian, Puerto Rican, Dominican, and Central and South American immigrants of Hispanic origin living in New York City.

The team's leader, Dr Gustavo D. Cruz, director of global oral public health at NYU, was to present the findings Saturday at the International Association for Dental Research meeting in New Orleans.

In a prepared statement, Cruz said the study revealed, for example, that Puerto Ricans, Haitians and Indians were more likely to suffer from gum disease, while Hispanics were more likely to have tooth decay.

Cruz found that rates of tooth decay and periodontal disease can be linked to ethnicity and country of origin even among immigrants who have lived for many years in the United States and have increased income and education levels.

"For example, some ethnic groups may be more prone to tooth decay partly because their traditional foods are high in refined carbohydrates, while other groups may be less susceptible to decay because refined carbohydrates are almost absent from their diet," he said. – (HealthDayNews)

March 2007
 

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