Abstract
The purpose of this study was to assess the different barriers for dental health care among the Hispanic population in a rural, southwestern community in Minnesota. To collect data, an adaptation of the survey written by Vazquez and Swan (2003) was distributed to Hispanic individuals at an agricultural facility, religious organization, and an early childhood organization. The findings for the research question are presented in the cross-sectional study utilizing descriptive statistics in the form of frequencies and percentages. The results of this study indicate that not having a dental provider of the same cultural background, having a language barrier, and not being able to afford their treatment were the most prevalent barriers to accessing dental care. The majority of participants did have dental insurance, so future research is recommended to understand the association between their willingness to spend money on dental services, dental insurance, and attitudes toward oral health. Additionally, further studies regarding the influence of community oral health workers in the dental health care system will help understand how to best address the cultural and linguistic barriers.
Advisor
Joseph Visker
Committee Member
Alyssa Delgado
Committee Member
Emily Forsyth
Date of Degree
2023
Language
english
Document Type
Thesis
Degree
Master of Science (MS)
Program of Study
Community Health Education
Department
Health Science
College
Allied Health and Nursing
Recommended Citation
Garza, L. (2023). Identifying barriers to dental care among Hispanics in southwest Minnesota [Master’s thesis, Minnesota State University, Mankato]. Cornerstone: A Collection of Scholarly and Creative Works for Minnesota State University, Mankato. https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/etds/1300/
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Rights Statement
