Oral healthcare challenges for older Punjabi-speaking immigrants

Can J Aging. 2014 Jun;33(2):196-207. doi: 10.1017/S0714980814000087. Epub 2014 May 7.

Abstract

This study explored how older Punjabi-speaking South-Asian immigrants (four focus groups; 33 participants) in Surrey, British Columbia, perceive oral health and related problems. Content analysis revealed two umbrella themes: (a) interpretations of mouth conditions and (b) challenges to oral health. The umbrella themes had four sub-themes: damage caused by heat (wai), disturbances caused by caries, coping with dentures, and quality of life. Three challenges were considered: home remedies, Western dentistry, and difficulties accessing dentists. Participants explained oral diseases in terms of a systemic infection (resha), and preferred to decrease imbalances of wai in the mouth with home remedies from India. We conclude that older Punjabi-speaking immigrants interpret oral health and disease in the context of both Western and Ayurvedic traditions, and that they manage dental problems with a mix of traditional remedies supplemented, if possible, by elective oral health care in India, and by emergency dental care in Canada.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Attitude to Health / ethnology*
  • British Columbia
  • Dental Caries
  • Dental Health Services*
  • Dentures
  • Emigrants and Immigrants*
  • Female
  • Focus Groups
  • Health Services Accessibility
  • Humans
  • India / ethnology
  • Male
  • Mouth Diseases*
  • Oral Health
  • Qualitative Research
  • Quality of Life