Caries Experience amongst Somali Mother-Child Pairs: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Purpose: Minnesota is home to the world’s largest population of Somali refugees, yet little is known about their oral health. Multiple social determinants are known to affect oral health outcomes including a strong relationship between maternal-child caries experience in non-migratory populations. New evidence has shown that this relationship is disrupted in migrant populations. This study explores the correlation between caries experience of Somali immigrant mothers and their children. The study further investigated the association of oral health perceptions and caries experience of the mothers. Methods: As part of a larger study using a community-engaged approach, 75 mother child dyads were enrolled at nine urban day care centers. Clinical data were collected utilizing dmfs and DMFS scores for children and DMFS scores for mothers. A survey compiled from previously validated instruments designed specifically for this study was completed by each mother. Descriptive statistics, Spearman's correlation and linear regression modeling were used to analyze the data. Results: The mean age of mothers and children was 33.8 and 8.2 years, respectively. Mothers had lived in the US an average of 9.6 years. Almost all mothers and children were insured, and 68.6% of children reported a dental visit within the past year. No correlation was found between Somali mother-child caries experience. There was a iv statistically significant positive association between mother oral health perception and caries experience. Conclusions: The oral health of a Somali child does not necessarily reflect that of the mother, contrary to results from previous studies. Somali mothers’ self-perception of oral health reflects their caries experience. Practical applications include planning an intervention using a community-engaged process to prevent caries in children’s primary teeth