How Culture Shapes Dental Anxiety: Insights from the Hispanic Community Health Study
Understanding a Hidden Barrier to Dental Care
Dental anxiety fear, worry, or stress related to dental visits is a common yet often overlooked barrier to oral health. For many individuals, especially those from minority communities, this anxiety is shaped not only by past dental experiences but also by cultural identity and adjustment to life in the United States.
A new exploratory study from the Hispanic Community Health Study / Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL) dives deeper into how acculturation the process of adapting to a new cultural environment affects dental anxiety among Hispanic/Latino adults.
What the Researchers Wanted to Know
Hispanic/Latino communities are one of the largest demographic groups in the U.S., yet disparities in dental care remain significant. Many individuals delay or avoid dental visits due to fear, uncertainty, or cultural mismatch with the healthcare system.
The researchers asked:
Does acculturation influence dental anxiety?
Do individuals who are more connected to Hispanic culture or more acculturated to U.S. culture experience different levels of dental fear?
How do demographic and psychosocial factors contribute?
How the Study Was Done
The study analyzed data from the HCHS/SOL cohort, a large, diverse sample of Hispanic/Latino adults across multiple U.S. cities.
Participants completed:
Measures of dental anxiety
Acculturation scales, assessing language use, cultural orientation, and social affiliation
Demographic and psychosocial questionnaires
Using these data, the researchers explored how cultural adaptation patterns aligned with anxiety toward dental care.
Key Findings: Culture Matters But Not in a Simple Way
1. Low Acculturation Was Linked to Higher Dental Anxiety
Individuals who primarily identified with Hispanic/Latino cultural practices, and who used less English, tended to report more fear around dental visits.
This may reflect:
Limited familiarity with the U.S. dental system
Language barriers
Past experiences in countries with limited or painful dental care options
2. Highly Acculturated Individuals Reported Lower Anxiety
Participants who were more immersed in U.S. culture tended to feel more comfortable navigating dental care and reported fewer dental-related fears.
3. But the Relationship Isn’t Linear
The file shows that when other factors were included (income, education, insurance, psychosocial variables), some associations weakened. This suggests that dental anxiety is shaped by a complex mix of culture, socioeconomic background, and personal experience.
4. Social and Emotional Stressors Also Played a Role
Higher dental anxiety was found among participants with:
Lower emotional well-being
More perceived stress
Negative past dental experiences
Acculturation joined this list as one important factor among many.
Why This Matters
This study highlights that improving dental care access isn’t just about insurance or cost—it’s also about cultural understanding.
Clinicians who work with Hispanic/Latino patients may better support them by:
Offering bilingual communication
Providing culturally sensitive explanations
Building trust through patient-centered care
Recognizing that dental fear may come from past experiences in home countries
Effective care requires more than clinical skill—it requires cultural awareness.
Conclusion
Dental anxiety in Hispanic/Latino communities is influenced by a combination of emotional, social, and cultural factors. Acculturation plays a notable role: individuals less adapted to U.S. culture tend to experience higher fear related to dental visits.
The takeaway is clear:
Improving oral health equity requires not only better access, but also culturally competent dental care that acknowledges patients’ backgrounds and experiences.
Reference
Acculturation and Dental Care-Related Anxiety: An Exploratory Assessment from the Hispanic Community Health Study / Study of Latinos.