Oral health inequalities and fissure sealants in migrants

Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the role of sealant utilisation on oral health inequalities of migrants. Methods: 518 schoolchildren of 5th and 6th grades of four different schools of the Rhein-Neckar-District (southwest Germany) were examined with mirror, probe and artificial light for DMF-T values according WHO criteria. Prior to examination, parents completed and signed a form asking for state of birth of both parents and children. Three different groups were analysed: Children without any migration experience (Group 0), children with migration experience of one or both parents (Group 1) and children with own migration experience (Group 3). Results: DMF-T values were 0.3 (Group 0), 0.7 (Group 1), and 1.1 (Group 2). The percentage of caries-free individuals was 60.7%, 56.0% and 86.9% respectively (p<0.05, chi-square test). The mean number of sealants was 1.5, 0.7, and 0.4 in the three groups. Conclusion: The oral health inequalities might be due to a lower sealant utilisation in migrants.