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Updated: Jul 19, 2026

Oral Biofilm Sampling for Microbiome Analysis in Healthy Children
Published on: December 31, 2017
[Prevalence of dental caries: comparison between immigrant and autochthonous children]
V Paredes Gallardo1, C Paredes Cencillo, B Mir Plana
1Odontóloga. Hospital Clínico Universitario. Facultad de Medicina y Odontología de Valencia. España. vanessa_paredes@yahoo.es
Introduction:
Immigration to Spain has been high in recent years, especially in some autonomous communities. In both deciduous and permanent teeth, immigrant children have a higher number of dental caries and a lower number of restored teeth than autochthonous schoolchildren. Few studies have compared the prevalence of dental caries between immigrant and autochthonous children.
Objective:
To determine the prevalence of dental caries in two groups of children: an immigrant group and an autochthonous group.
Material And Method:
The study sample consisted of 600 children (235 immigrant children and 365 autochthonous children) aged between 6 and 10 years old who were living in the autonomous community of Valencia. The children were examined by two specialists, an odontologist and a pediatrician.
Results:
The prevalence of dental caries was higher in immigrant children than in autochthonous children. In deciduous dentition, the prevalence of caries was 47.23 % and 32.05 % in immigrants and autochthonous children, respectively. In permanent dentition, the prevalence was 53.19 % and 35.34 %, respectively.
Conclusions:
The prevalence of dental caries was higher in immigrant children than in autochthonous children. Pediatricians and/or odontologists should aim to improve knowledge of good dental health care and habits among immigrant children and their parents.
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