The mouth-body split: conceptual models of oral health and their relationship to general health among ethnic minorities in South Thames Health Region

Objective To identify and describe conceptual models of oral health shared by people from different minority ethnic groups, in particular the relation ship between 'oral health' and 'general health'. To identify how these conc eptions vary across social factors. Basic research design In-depth intervie ws. Analysis of the interview data to identify the conceptual models used b y participants in discussing oral health and its relationship to general he alth. Participants Ninety-five individuals from different ethnic groups. Re sults Two models of 'health' were identified. The first reflected a traditi onal model which related health to the absence of disease. The second encom passed a broad definition of health including not only physical but social and psychological well-being and the ability to carry out everyday function s. The model within which an individual operated was influenced by ethnicit y and gender. Additionally. two models of the relationship between oral hea lth and general health were identified: one in which the two concepts M ere seen as separate but related: the other in which oral health and general h ealth were viewed as inseparable aspects of a single dimension. Conclusions People from minority ethnic groups vary in their understanding of oral hea lth and its relationship to general health. This variation can he explained in part by ethnic and cultural Factors. This finding has important implica tions both for the design of measures which seek to assess oral health rela ted quality of life, and for the development of health promotional material s.