Predisposing, enabling, and need for dental treatment characteristics of ICS-II USA ethnically diverse groups.

Personal characteristics (predisposing, enabling, and need) are described for the population-based samples of adults interviewed in the International Collaborative Study of Oral Health Outcomes (ICS-II) USA research locations. Differences in sample characteristics are compared by ethnic group (African-American, Native American, Hispanic, and White) and age cohort (35-44 and 65-74 years old) by means of Bonferroni multiple-means tests and Student's t tests. Differences in the personal characteristics of these diverse comparison groups abound. Bivariate results indicated that White adults from both age cohorts had higher socioeconomic levels, more positive self-rated health status, and greater proportions of individuals with dental benefits. Lakota adults from both age cohorts reported lower self-rated health status and were most likely to report total tooth loss. Hispanic persons were significantly less likely to report a usual source of dental care or dental benefits. Need for dental treatment (oral pain and oral symptoms index) was generally higher amng Native American and Hispanic groups. It is critical that the differences highlighted between the among these groups be studied in appropriate strategies for improving the oral health of USA adults are to be determined.