Oral Health of Migrant Children Over Time: A Longitudinal Cohort Study in Ireland

Background: Having a migrant background has been associated with poorer oral health literacy, and higher rates of caries have been found in migrant children. The evidence for adolescents from a migrant background is mixed, however, and there is a lack of longitudinal studies. Aim: To compare the rating of oral health, oral health behaviors, access to, and utilization of dental services between non Irish-born (migrant) children and Irish-born children over time. Design: Data was compared at four waves of the Growing up in Ireland National Longitudinal Study of Children (2008–2020) aged nine at Wave 1 (n = 8568). Logistic regression was used to identify risk factors of not receiving treatment at age 17/18 and poor oral health at age 20. Results: We found no evidence of major differences in oral health, oral health behaviors, access to and utilization of dental services between migrant children and Irish-born children over time. Evidence of persisting socio-economic disparities was found in both receipt of treatment and self-rated oral health in the general population. Conclusion: Our results highlight the need for universal health coverage for oral health to avoid inequalities in oral health status and access to and use of oral health services.