Method: The addresses of the participants were randomly selected from the White Pages of residents in Metropolitan area of South Australia, Victoria, Queensland and New South Wales by selecting people with names that appear to be Chinese. Mailed self-complete questionnaires written in both English and Chinese were used to collect data. Demographic information, SES, Chinese dental beliefs, time for the last dental visit and reason for the dental visit were asked in the questionnaire. Multivariable logistic regression was used to investigate the influences of Chinese dental beliefs and the SES on dental visits among Chinese migrants. Outcome variables were time for the last dental visit and reason for the dental visit.
Result: To date, 836 participants completed the questionnaires. Results of multivariable logistic regression after controlling age group, sex and years living in Australia showed that Chinese migrants with weak or moderate Chinese dental beliefs and those in the highest household income tertile were more likely to see the dentist within the last 12 months compared with those with strong Chinese dental beliefs and those in the middle household income tertile (P<0.05). The reason for last visit was not significantly affected by Chinese dental beliefs but the household income – those in the lowest and middle household income tertiles were more likely to make a problem-based visit compared with those in the highest household income tertile (P<0.05).
Conclusion: The time for the last dental visit was significantly influenced by Chinese dental belief and household income but reason for the dental visit was mainly influenced by household income among Chinese migrants.