Differences in, and Frames of Reference of, Indigenous Australians' Self-rated General and Oral Health

To compare general and oral health perceptions between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians and to quantify Indigenous Australian health-related frames of reference.

A mixed-methods approach was used. The quantitative component comprised data from four convenience studies of Indigenous oral health and one national oral health survey stratified by Indigenous status. Qualitative data with questions pertaining to frames of reference were collected from 19 Indigenous Australian interviews.

Among the Indigenous studies, deficits in perceptions of excellent, very good, or good general health and excellent, very good, or good oral health ranged from 10.5% to 43.8%. Among the non-Indigenous population, the deficit was 5%. Frames of reference appeared to underpin a biomedical conceptual outlook.

The deficit in perceived oral health compared with general health was far greater among Indigenous Australians. The frame of reference underpinning Indigenous Australian's perceptions of health reflect those of the general Australian population.