Oral health characteristics of the multicultural international marriage women in Gimcheon, Gyeongbuk, Korea

Objectives: The purpose of the study is to investigate the oral health characteristics of the multicultural international marriage women in Gimcheon, Gyeongbuk in Korea. Methods: The subjects were 73 multicultural international marriage women in Gimcheon, Gyeongbuk in Korea. The study methods consisted of direct interview with the subjects and oral examination through dental mirror and head lamp by one dentist and two dental hygienists. The questionnaire included the use of medical services, oral health education experience, subjective oral health awareness, toothbrushing, and sociodemographical characteristics of the subjects. Results: There were significant correlations between the subjective oral health awareness, oral health behavior and DMFT index. The subjective oral health awareness significantly changed after the international marriage in Korea. The recognition of subjective oral health status significantly improved after the oral health education by the dentist and the dental hygienist. Conclusions: The subjective oral health status of the international marriage women improved significantly after immigration into Korea. Therefore, Korean government should try to provide the better medical services to the international marriage women and protect their human rights as Korean immigrants on the basis of the Law.