Dental Caries Prevalence and Experience (Icdas II Criteria) of 5-, 12- and 15-Year-Old Children and Adolescents with an Immigrant Background in Greece, Compared with the Host Population

A Cross-Sectional Study

Bibliographic Data

ID15487113
AuthorsIliana Diamanti (0000-0001-7053-3118, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, corresponding author), Elias Berdouses (0000-0002-6718-2967), Elias D Berdouses (Independent Researcher, 15231 Athens, Greece), Katerina Kavvadia (0000-0002-6877-4905, European University Cyprus), Konstantinos Arapostathis (0000-0003-4461-199X, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki), Konstantinos N Arapostathis (Aristotle University of Thessaloniki), Argy Polychronopoulou (0000-0002-9336-5089, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens), Constantine Oulis (0000-0002-6011-585X, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens), Constantine J Oulis (National and Kapodistrian University of Athens)
Year2021
Volume19
Issue1
Pages14-14
Publication date2021-12-21
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph19010014
PMID35010274
OpenAlexW4200408377
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited33

Evidence regarding disparities in oral health among native and immigrant child and adolescent populations in Europe is scarce. The present study aimed to determine the caries status of 5-, 12-, and 15-year-olds with an immigrant background in Greece in relation to their sociodemographic characteristics and compare their caries levels with those of their native Greek peers. A sample of 707 immigrants underwent clinical examination for caries (ICDAS II criteria), followed by a calculation of caries prevalence and experience estimates (2013-2014). Multivariable regression models assessed the effect of ethnic background on the caries experience (d 3-6 mfs/D 3-6 MFS) of the total (707 immigrants and 3702 Greeks) population, and the association between parental education level and the immigrants' d 3-6 mfs/D 3-6 MFS. Among the 5- and 12-year-olds, those with an immigrant background demonstrated higher caries rates and had unfulfilled treatment needs at higher proportions. Among 15-year-old adolescents, no considerable differences in caries status were observed according to ethnic background (native Greek or immigrant). The strength of the association between immigrant background and caries experience levels attenuated gradually with increasing age (IRR = 1.61, 1.27 and 1.10, and p = 0.001, p = 0.006 and p = 0.331 for 5-, 12- and 15-year-olds, respectively). Among the immigrants, adolescents with less educated mothers exhibited elevated caries levels. Public health strategies should prioritize immigrant children and early adolescents in order to reduce the existing ethnic disparities in oral health

Cross-sectional study · Environmental health · Ethnic group · Geography · Immigration · Oral health · Population · Public health · Demography · Dental Health and Care Utilization · Dental Research and COVID-19 · Dentistry · Medicine · Oral microbiology and periodontitis research

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