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Oral health status of rural-urban migrant children in South China.

BACKGROUND
In China, there is a massive rural-urban migration and the children of migrants are often unregistered residents (a 'floating population').


AIM
This pilot study aimed to profile the oral health of migrant children in South China's principal city of migration and identify its socio-demographic/behavioural determinants.


DESIGN
An epidemiological survey was conducted in an area of Guangzhou among 5-year-old migrant children (n = 138) who received oral examinations according to the World Health Organization criteria. Parents' oral health knowledge/attitude, child practices, and impact of children's oral health on their quality-of-life (QoL) were assessed.


RESULTS
The caries rate and mean (SD) dmft were 86% and 5.17 (4.16), respectively, higher than those national statistics for both rural and urban areas (P < 0.05). Oral hygiene was satisfactory (DI-S < 1.0) in 3% of children. Oral health impacts on QoL were considerable; 60% reported one or more impacts. 58% variance in 'dmft' was explained by 'non-local-born', 'low-educated parents', 'bedtime feeding', 'parental unawareness of fluoride's effect and importance of teeth', and 'poor oral hygiene' (all P < 0.05). 'Non-local-born' and 'dmft' indicated poor oral health-related QoL (both P < 0.05), accounting for 32% of variance.


CONCLUSION
Oral health is poor among rural-urban migrant children and requires effective interventions in targeted sub-groups.