How is mental health associated with dental health in refugee children?

Background
Refugee families often arrive in Europe full of hope after facing many challenges. It is known that a significant proportion of them suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and that this is associated with bad health status, including oral health in adults. While it is known that refugee children have poor dental health, it remains unclear if this is related to their mental health. We aimed to find out if children’s PTSD status was associated with their dental health. We further examined if parental mental health is associated with children’s dental health.

Methods
The study is part of the German INterCuLtUral Child DevelopmEnt Studies (INCLUDE). Dental and psychological examination of n = 44 children between 1.5 and 6 years was conducted. Dental health was assessed with dmft value and O’Leary Plaque Index (PI). The Child and Adolescent Trauma Screening was applied to test for PTSD symptoms in children. Parental mental health was assessed with the refugee health screener (RHS). Descriptive analyses and multiple linear regression were performed to test the association between child’s PTSD and dental health with parental mental health.

Results
Mean dmft value was 4.98 (± 3.69), mean PI was 40.92 (± 14.76). PTSD was detected in 30% of the children. There were no statistically significant differences between children with and without PTSD symptoms pertaining dental health. Linear regression yielded child’s age and parental RHS score to be positively associated with child’s dmft value.

Conclusions
Children’ had poor dental health status, regardless of the presence of PTSD. Parental mental health was associated with child dental health. Interventions and programs for refugee children should consider parental mental health as well.