IADR Abstract Archives
Impact of Forced Immigration on Children Oral Health
Objectives: Evaluate the oral health of the children in the refugee camps in Lebanon in order to plan and provide oral care and prevention methods.
Methods:
1051 students in five schools in the refugee camps of the Bekaa Valley in Lebanon were examined in May, 2016. Children from the ages of 5 to 15 were evaluated to determine their oral health status and needs. Gingiva, caries and plaque levels were assessed. Diet and oral health practices were evaluated as well.
Results: 45% of children suffered from different levels of tooth pain. The scale of pain severity showed that 16% of children had severe pain, 17% had moderate pain and 12% light pain. The duration of pain for those who reported severe pain: 18% lasted more than one month, 3% one week and 1% for one day. For moderate pain: 10% lasted more than one month, 9% for one week and 4% for one day. Brushing teeth: 40% do not brush, 39% brush daily, 14% brush weekly, and 7% seldom brushing. 24% of children reported that they do not have tooth brushes. The reported meals frequency: only 27% eat three meals daily, 57% eat two and 13% eat less than a one meal a day. There was moderate to heavy plaque accumulation on 83% of the children and only 17% showed no plaque accumulation. 10% of children suffered from gingival/tooth abscesses. There was an average of 5.33 cavities per child.
Conclusions: Child refugees suffer from extensive oral health problems, primarily cavities and gingival diseases. Education, preventive measures and access to oral care are critical to reduce oral disease challenges. While more attention was paid to medical health for refugees, little has been done to overcome oral health challenges. Innovation in providing dental health should include collaboration between academic institutions, corporate funding and NGO organizations in order to alleviate the refugee population, particularly children, from oral diseases.
Methods:
1051 students in five schools in the refugee camps of the Bekaa Valley in Lebanon were examined in May, 2016. Children from the ages of 5 to 15 were evaluated to determine their oral health status and needs. Gingiva, caries and plaque levels were assessed. Diet and oral health practices were evaluated as well.
Results: 45% of children suffered from different levels of tooth pain. The scale of pain severity showed that 16% of children had severe pain, 17% had moderate pain and 12% light pain. The duration of pain for those who reported severe pain: 18% lasted more than one month, 3% one week and 1% for one day. For moderate pain: 10% lasted more than one month, 9% for one week and 4% for one day. Brushing teeth: 40% do not brush, 39% brush daily, 14% brush weekly, and 7% seldom brushing. 24% of children reported that they do not have tooth brushes. The reported meals frequency: only 27% eat three meals daily, 57% eat two and 13% eat less than a one meal a day. There was moderate to heavy plaque accumulation on 83% of the children and only 17% showed no plaque accumulation. 10% of children suffered from gingival/tooth abscesses. There was an average of 5.33 cavities per child.
Conclusions: Child refugees suffer from extensive oral health problems, primarily cavities and gingival diseases. Education, preventive measures and access to oral care are critical to reduce oral disease challenges. While more attention was paid to medical health for refugees, little has been done to overcome oral health challenges. Innovation in providing dental health should include collaboration between academic institutions, corporate funding and NGO organizations in order to alleviate the refugee population, particularly children, from oral diseases.