Oral health status of rural-urban migrant children in South China.
BACKGROUND
In China, there is a massive rural-urban migration and the children of migrants are often unregistered residents (a 'floating population').


OBJECTIVE
This pilot study aimed to profile the oral health of migrant children in South China's principal city of migration and identify its socio-demographic/behavioural determinants.


METHODS
An epidemiological survey was conducted in an area of Guangzhou among 5-year-old migrant children (n = 138) who received oral examinations according to the World Health Organization criteria. Parents' oral health knowledge/attitude, child practices, and impact of children's oral health on their quality-of-life (QoL) were assessed.


RESULTS
The caries rate and mean (SD) dmft were 86% and 5.17 (4.16), respectively, higher than those national statistics for both rural and urban areas (P < 0.05). Oral hygiene was satisfactory (DI-S < 1.0) in 3% of children. Oral health impacts on QoL were considerable; 60% reported one or more impacts. 58% variance in 'dmft' was explained by 'non-local-born', 'low-educated parents', 'bedtime feeding', 'parental unawareness of fluoride's effect and importance of teeth', and 'poor oral hygiene' (all P < 0.05). 'Non-local-born' and 'dmft' indicated poor oral health-related QoL (both P < 0.05), accounting for 32% of variance.


CONCLUSIONS
Oral health is poor among rural-urban migrant children and requires effective interventions in targeted sub-groups.
Gao
Xiao-Li
XL
Dental Public Health, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. gaoxl@hkucc.hku.hk
McGrath
Colman
C
Lin
Huan-Cai
HC
D001294:Attitude to Health; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D004245:DMF Index; D003729:Dental Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology; D004522:Educational Status; D016021:Epidemiologic Studies; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005459:Fluorides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D008297:Male; D009911:Oral Hygiene Index; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011788:Quality of Life; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012423:Rural Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012923:Social Class; D014076:Tooth Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014171:Transients and Migrants / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014504:Urban Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D005459:Fluorides