Prevalence of Periodontal Disease in the Fresno Hmong Community

• Main Author: Mai Zong Her
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hmong Studies Journal 2014-12-01
• Series: Hmong Studies Journal
• Subjects: Hmong Americans; Dental Health
• Online Access: http://hmongstudies.org/HerHSJ15.pdf

There has been no research conducted in the past or present to examine the dental health of the Hmong population in California. Having lived and emigrated from the hills of developing countries, such as Laos, Vietnam, and Thailand, where there are a lack of resources and community outreach on basic oral care, the Hmong population received very minimal attention in regards to dental health. The purpose of this research paper is to analyze the statistical data collected at a private dental clinic run by a Hmong dentist, Dr. Kao N. Vang, to illustrate the prevalence of the periodontal diseases, gingivitis and periodontitis. The intention of this quantitative research is to obtain a general overview of dental health in the Fresno Hmong community, as well as to explore how the intersection of vulnerabilities, such as Western acculturation, socioeconomic status, and the lack of a formal education among Hmong people, have contributed to the deprivation of basic oral care and affected the overall dental health of the population.