[Prevalence of dental caries: comparison between immigrant and autochthonous children].
BACKGROUND
Immigration to Spain has been high in recent years, especially in some autonomous communities. In both deciduous and permanent teeth, immigrant children have a higher number of dental caries and a lower number of restored teeth than autochthonous schoolchildren. Few studies have compared the prevalence of dental caries between immigrant and autochthonous children.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of dental caries in two groups of children: an immigrant group and an autochthonous group.


METHODS
The study sample consisted of 600 children (235 immigrant children and 365 autochthonous children) aged between 6 and 10 years old who were living in the autonomous community of Valencia. The children were examined by two specialists, an odontologist and a pediatrician.


RESULTS
The prevalence of dental caries was higher in immigrant children than in autochthonous children. In deciduous dentition, the prevalence of caries was 47.23 % and 32.05 % in immigrants and autochthonous children, respectively. In permanent dentition, the prevalence was 53.19 % and 35.34 %, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of dental caries was higher in immigrant children than in autochthonous children. Pediatricians and/or odontologists should aim to improve knowledge of good dental health care and habits among immigrant children and their parents.
Paredes Gallardo
V
V
Odontóloga. Hospital Clínico Universitario. Facultad de Medicina y Odontología de Valencia. España. vanessa_paredes@yahoo.es
Paredes Cencillo
C
C
Mir Plana
B
B
D002648:Child; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D016021:Epidemiologic Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology