Ethnicity and Self-Perceived Oral Health in Colombia: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

To estimate the association between self-perceived oral health indicators and ethnic origin in Colombia, a cross-sectional study (Information from the 2007 National Public Health Survey) was conducted. Variables: belonging to an ethnic group (Exposure); oral health indicators (Outcomes); sex, age, education and self-rated health (control). Analyses were carried out separately for men (M) and women (W). The association between the exposure variable and the outcomes was estimated by means of adjusted odds ratio (OR) with confidence intervals (95 % CI) using logistic regression. Men were more likely to report gum bleeding (aOR 1.78; 95 % CI 1.44-2.23) and dental caries (aOR 1.69; 95 % CI 1.42-2.02), while women were more likely to report unmet dental needs (aOR 1.43; 95 % CI 1.27-1.49) and dental caries (aOR 1.34; 95 % CI 1.22-1.47). Indigenous and Palenquero were more likely to report most of the indicators analyzed. Minority ethnic groups in Colombia were at risk to report oral health problems.