title: Immigrant Caregivers of Young Children: Oral Health Beliefs, Attitudes, and Early Childhood Caries Knowledge.
abstract: The incidence of early childhood caries (ECC) is a global public health concern. The oral health knowledge of a caregiver can affect a child's risk for developing ECC. An exploratory study of the oral health knowledge and behaviors among caregivers of children 6 years of age and younger was conducted with a convenience sample of adults (n = 114) enrolled in English language or high school equivalency examination courses. The majority of study participants were born in Asia (47 %). Other birth regions included South America (16 %), Caribbean (16 %), Africa (10 %), and Central America (6 %). Study findings showed caregivers with low oral health knowledge were more likely to engage in behaviors that increase a child's risk for developing ECC. A statistically significant relationship was found between participants' rating of their child's dental health as poor and the belief that children should not be weaned from the nursing bottle by 12 months of age (P = 0.002), brushing should not begin upon tooth eruption (P = 0.01), and fluoride does not strengthen teeth and prevent dental caries (P = 0.005). Subjects who pre-chewed their child's food also exhibited behaviors including sharing eating utensils or a toothbrush with their child (P < 0.001). Additional caregiver behaviors included providing their child with a bottle containing cariogenic liquids in a crib (P < 0.001). As a result of this research, it is pertinent that culturally sensitive oral health promotion programs are developed and implemented to raise awareness and reduce the risk of dental disease among immigrant populations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dental Hygiene, Middlesex Community College, 33 Kearney Square, Lowell, MA, 01852, USA. DeborahAnnFinnegan@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Deborah A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Finnegan
authors.affiliation: Forsyth School of Dental Hygiene, MCPHS University, 179 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
authors.forename: Lori
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rainchuso
authors.affiliation: Forsyth School of Dental Hygiene, MCPHS University, 179 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jenkins
authors.affiliation: Forsyth School of Dental Hygiene, MCPHS University, 179 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
authors.forename: Erin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kierce
authors.affiliation: Forsyth School of Dental Hygiene, MCPHS University, 179 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rothman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice / Q000208:ethnology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009909:Oral Health / Q000208:ethnology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Early childhood caries; Immigrants; Oral health literacy; Parental oral health behavior