Oral Health Behaviors and Challenges Among Migrants in Italy: A Cross-Sectional Study

Oral health disparities remain a significant public health concern among migrant populations, often driven by socioeconomic barriers, limited access to dental care, and challenges in health information acquisition.

This study aimed to assess oral health behaviors, access to dental care, and sources of oral health information among migrants residing in Italy and to examine their association with the presence of untreated dental caries.

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 427 migrants living in Italy. Data were collected using a structured online questionnaire covering sociodemographic characteristics, oral health behaviors, dental care utilization, and use of social media for oral health information. The primary outcome was the presence of at least one untreated dental caries (yes/no), assessed through self-reported data. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with untreated caries.

A total of 63.5% of participants reported having at least one untreated dental caries. Most participants reported irregular dental attendance, with a high proportion seeking care only in emergency situations. Monthly income, nationality, and frequency of dental check-ups were significantly associated with untreated caries in univariate analysis. However, in multivariable analysis, only nationality remained significantly associated with the outcome (p < 0.0001). Additionally, limited use of preventive dental services and low perceived credibility of oral health information from social media were observed.

Untreated dental caries were highly prevalent and were associated with socioeconomic and access-related factors within the study population. These findings highlight the importance of improving access to preventive dental services and strengthening reliable oral health communication strategies in migrant populations.