Oral Health of Migrant Children Over Time: A Longitudinal Cohort Study in Ireland

Having a migrant background has been associated with poorer oral health literacy, and higher rates of caries have been found in migrant children. The evidence for adolescents from a migrant background is mixed, however, and there is a lack of longitudinal studies.

To compare the rating of oral health, oral health behaviors, access to, and utilization of dental services between non Irish-born (migrant) children and Irish-born children over time.

Data was compared at four waves of the Growing up in Ireland National Longitudinal Study of Children (2008-2020) aged nine at Wave 1 (n = 8568). Logistic regression was used to identify risk factors of not receiving treatment at age 17/18 and poor oral health at age 20.

We found no evidence of major differences in oral health, oral health behaviors, access to and utilization of dental services between migrant children and Irish-born children over time. Evidence of persisting socio-economic disparities was found in both receipt of treatment and self-rated oral health in the general population.

Our results highlight the need for universal health coverage for oral health to avoid inequalities in oral health status and access to and use of oral health services.