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

Iliana Diamanti, Elias D. Berdouses, Katerina Kavvadia, Konstantinos N. Arapostathis, Argy Polychronopoulou and Constantine J. Oulis
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Iliana Diamanti: Department of Preventive and Community Dentistry, School of Dentistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
Elias D. Berdouses: Independent Researcher, 15231 Athens, Greece
Katerina Kavvadia: Department of Dentistry, European University Cyprus, 6 Diogenous Str., 2404 Nicosia, Cyprus
Konstantinos N. Arapostathis: Department of Paediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
Argy Polychronopoulou: Department of Preventive and Community Dentistry, School of Dentistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
Constantine J. Oulis: Department of Paediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 19, issue 1, 1-17

Abstract: 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.

Keywords: dental caries; ICDAS-II criteria; immigrants; children; adolescents; comparative study; risk indicators; ethnic background (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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