Revista Portuguesa de Estomatologia, Medicina Dentaria e Cirurgia Maxilofacial
Volume 59, Issue 2, 2018, Pages 80-86

SAIMI study – Teeth brushing habits among immigrant children and adolescents from the indian subcontinent in Lisbon [Estudo SAIMI – Hábitos de escovagem dentária em crianças e adolescentes imigrantes do subcontinente indiano em Lisboa] (Article) (Open Access)

Costa T.* , Lopes E. , Alarcão V. , Nogueira P. , Carreira M.
  • a Instituto de Medicina Preventiva e Saúde Pública da Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
  • b Instituto de Medicina Preventiva e Saúde Pública da Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal, Instituto de Saúde Ambiental da Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
  • c Instituto de Medicina Preventiva e Saúde Pública da Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal, Instituto de Saúde Ambiental da Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal, Centro de Investigação e Estudos de Sociologia (CIES-IUL), Instituto Universitário de Lisboa (ISCTE-IUL), Lisboa, Portugal
  • d Instituto de Medicina Preventiva e Saúde Pública da Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal, Instituto de Saúde Ambiental da Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal, Centro de Investigação e Estudos de Sociologia (CIES-IUL), Instituto Universitário de Lisboa (ISCTE-IUL), Lisboa, Portugal
  • e Instituto de Medicina Preventiva e Saúde Pública da Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal, Instituto de Saúde Ambiental da Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal, Direção-Geral de Saúde, Lisboa, Portugal

Abstract

Objectives: The number of child and adolescent immigrants from the Indian subcontinent has been increasing in Portugal. Dental caries is the most common chronic disease in these ages, and toothbrushing is the most effective prevention measure. The objective was to characterize the toothbrushing habits of immigrant children and adolescents from the Indian subcontinent, living in Lisbon. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, children and adolescents (aged 2 to 16 years) who were 1st and 2nd generation immigrants from the Indian subcontinent (Bangladesh, India and Pakistan) living in Lisbon were selected based on a chain referral sampling technique and using privileged access interviewers. Descriptive analysis of sociodemographic characteristics and toothbrushing habits and a multifactorial logistical model were performed, with toothbrushing twice a day as the dependent variable. Results: Data was obtained from 278 individuals (66% male, mean age of 7.6±3.5 years), 48% of which brushed their teeth twice a day. The probability of toothbrushing twice a day was significantly and independently associated with 1st generation immigrants and older age groups. Conclusions: In immigrant children from the Indian subcontinent, the frequency of toothbrushing twice a day is very low in pre-school ages, making it necessary to strengthen recommendations for starting toothbrushing with the eruption of the first deciduous teeth, as well as the adoption of targeted health promotion programs. © 2017 Sociedade Portuguesa de Estomatologia e Medicina Dentária. Published by SPEMD.

Author Keywords

Western Portugal Immigrants Hygiene Dental Asia Emigrants

Index Keywords

male female patient referral immigrant priority journal cross-sectional study child behavior tooth brushing demography Article Indian human school child Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85056563437&doi=10.24873%2fj.rpemd.2018.09.225&partnerID=40&md5=d6979fce0e890b3bd177b6b7c78db1dc
DOI: 10.24873/j.rpemd.2018.09.225
ISSN: 16462890
Original Language: Portuguese