Perceptions of Oral Health in Peru (2013)

Undergraduate: Wendy Song

Faculty Advisor: Amanda Thompson
Department: International & Area Studies

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In 2000, the Pan American Health Organization identified Peru as a country with one of the worst oral health profiles, with 95% of the population affected by tooth decay and a 5.6 DMFT index. My research investigated the underlying factors affecting oral health in Peru. My research methodology involved the Health Belief Model to examine the perceptions of susceptibility, severity, benefits, barriers, and self-efficacy. I sought to determine the impact of these beliefs on oral health behavior, specifically on preventative hygiene. Through qualitative interviews and quantitative surveys, I found the key factors of poor oral health to include excessive sugary beverage consumption, limited dental physician care, and little concept of preventative practices. Aggravated by lack of access to purified, potable water, Peruvians customarily drink sugary sodas or juices rather than pure water. Cost and time constraints, due to occupations and the extensive waiting period to see public dentists, are the main barriers to dental care. Moreover, regular cleanings and check-ups from dentist are luxurious expenditures, and thus visits to the dentist only occur as a last resort, upon unbearable pain or agitation. It is essential to understand the root causation of poor oral health in order to confront these issues with evidence based intervention methods. Further research should investigate cost-effective preventative oral health measures, such as water fluoridation or oral health education.