Oranga whānau, oranga niho: The oral health status of 5-year-old Māori children. A case study
Citation
Export citationTe Amo, K. M. (2007). Oranga whānau, oranga niho: The oral health status of 5-year-old Māori children. A case study (Thesis, Master of Māori and Pacific Development (MMPD)). The University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/10289/2341
Permanent Research Commons link: https://hdl.handle.net/10289/2341
Abstract
Research has shown that the oral health of Māori is far worse than non-Māori across all
age groups. The objective of this research study was to assess the dental wellbeing of
5-year olds with a specific focus on Māori children currently residing in the Hamilton City
region. In addition, this research focused on the impact that social, economic, cultural
and environmental factors have on oral health. A total of 32 participants were invited to
take part in this research: 15 5-year-old children from three selected schools, 15 (of the
children's) caregivers and 2 dental therapists who work in the Hamilton City region.
The findings indicated that overall Māori children and children of lower socio-economic
status had a much higher prevalence of dental caries (tooth decay) than non-Māori
children and children of higher socio-economic status. A number of contributing factors
were shown to be responsible for this disparity including the cultural inappropriateness
of oral health services and resources, affordability, role-modelling, parental awareness
and education, and the transient nature of families.
It was found that no one strategy or intervention will achieve dramatic improvements in
Māori oral health as a concerted effort is required by Local and Central Government, the
Health Sector and Māori communities.
Date
2007Type
Degree Name
Publisher
The University of Waikato
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- Masters Degree Theses [2469]