Parental risk attitudes and caries-related behaviours among immigrant and western native children in Oslo.
OBJECTIVE
Immigrant children make up a large proportion of the school populations in many western cities. It is likely that their parents have different attitudes and knowledge of dental health than resident populations, and thus provide a challenge to public dental services. This study sought to map existing disparities in oral health among immigrant and western native children in Oslo and to identify differences in parental, cultural and ethnic beliefs and attitudes towards oral health and caries-related behaviours.


METHODS
Caries was recorded of 735 children (3- and 5-year olds), supplemented with radiographs among 5-year olds. Their parents responded to a questionnaire.


RESULTS
Immigrant background, consumption of sweet drinks at bed and social status were the dominant caries risk indicators among the 3-year olds. Among the 5-year olds, the caries risk indicators were immigrant background, parental indulgence, attitude to diet, attitude to oral hygiene, social status and age starting toothbrushing. Being an immigrant was closely associated with higher caries prevalence and experience. Parental attitudes to oral hygiene, diet and indulgence, and caries-related behaviours distinguished immigrants from western natives.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that immigrant groups in western societies require different information packages, modified strategies for forming oral hygiene habits and attitudes related to dental care of children, and encouragement to exercise discipline on factors known to be risks for oral health. These strategies must recognize that immigrants and western natives attach different levels of importance to oral health and dental parameters. It should be paid extra attention to some caries high-risk subgroups.
Skeie
Marit S
MS
Faculty of Dentistry, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway. marit.skeie@odont.uib.no
Riordan
Paul J
PJ
Klock
Kristin S
KS
Espelid
Ivar
I
D000367:Age Factors; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001628:Beverages; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003469:Culture; D003729:Dental Care / Q000523:psychology; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000523:psychology*; D003733:Dental Caries Susceptibility; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000523:psychology; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009664:Norway; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D012923:Social Class; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000523:psychology
D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates