ORAL HEALTH of Latino and Ethiopian YOUNG CHILDREN and THEIR Mothers

Background: Dental caries is the most prevalent infectious disease among children and is more prevalent among socially underprivileged groups.

Purpose: This qualitative study aims to identify knowledge, attitudes and behaviors relating to oral health among mothers who are main caregivers of 0-5 year old Latino and Ethiopian children.

Methods: Two focus groups of Latino (n=24) and two of Ethiopian mothers (n=14) of 0-5 year old children were conducted in Washington D.C. in 2009 as part of a community based participatory project with Mary's Center for Maternal and Child Care, Inc. Focus group discussions were audiotaped, transcribed, translated into English, and analyzed using QSR NVivo.

Results: Latino and Ethiopian mothers shared positive attitudes towards oral health: they ranked oral health as a high priority and disagreed with “all kids will eventually get caries”. Most participants were advised by pediatricians to take their children to the dentist. Mothers did not have knowledge about caries etiology, fluoride, and dental sealants, and were unclear about when to start cleaning children's mouth and bottle use for children. Latino mothers were more likely than Ethiopian mothers to identify links between oral health and medical problems or social consequences. Latino mothers were also more likely to indicate that children's poor oral was the parents' responsibility. Ethiopian mothers indicated less utilization of dental services.

Conclusion: Latino and Ethiopian mothers shared similarities in limited knowledge but positive attitudes on oral health, while differences exist between the two groups in utilization and cultural beliefs of oral health.