Exploring Brazilian Immigrant Mothers’ Beliefs and Practices Regarding Their Preschool Children’s Oral Health: A Qualitative Study Conducted in the United States

Denise Lima Nogueira, Maria Gabriela Miranda Fontenele, Adriana Bento, Steven A. Cohen, Mary L. Greaney and Ana Cristina Lindsay ()
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Denise Lima Nogueira: Department of Nursing, Faculty Luciano Feijão, Sobral 62050-215, Ceará, Brazil
Maria Gabriela Miranda Fontenele: Faculty of Nursing, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza 60355-636, Ceará, Brazil
Adriana Bento: Brazilian Community Partner, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA 02125, USA
Steven A. Cohen: Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA
Mary L. Greaney: Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA
Ana Cristina Lindsay: Department of Urban Public Health, Robert and Donna Manning College of Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA 02125, USA

IJERPH, 2024, vol. 21, issue 12, 1-13

Abstract: Parents’ beliefs and practices significantly shape young children’s oral health (OH), particularly during preschool years when these habits are being established. Immigrant parents often face challenges in promoting OH due to cultural, financial, and logistical barriers. This qualitative study explored OH beliefs, practices, and barriers among Brazilian immigrant mothers in the United States (U.S.). Semi-structured interviews, guided by the Health Belief Model (HBM), were conducted with mothers of children aged 2–5 years. Thematic analysis, also guided by the HBM, revealed four key themes: (1) beliefs about children’s OH; (2) awareness of the parent’s role in fostering early OH behaviors; (3) identification of risk and protective factors affecting children’s OH; and (4) perceived barriers to maintaining children’s optimal OH. Mothers emphasized the importance of proper oral hygiene, regular dental check-ups, and balanced diets for promoting children’s OH. Despite recognizing their role in supporting oral hygiene routines and care, mothers noted barriers such as limited access to care, linguistic barriers, and difficulty adopting and maintaining healthy OH practices due to work and family demands. Notably, 96.6% ( n = 28) of the mothers scored low on the SASH scale (SASH < 2.99), reflecting low acculturation levels, which may further contribute to these challenges. Study findings highlight the critical role of parental beliefs and practices in shaping early OH behaviors and the unique challenges faced by Brazilian immigrant mothers. Culturally relevant public health interventions, including tailored education and improved access to affordable dental care, are essential for enhancing OH outcomes in young children from these families.

Keywords: oral health; Brazilian immigrant mothers; preschool children; health belief model; qualitative study (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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