[Oral Health Literacy of Persons with Migration Background-first Results of the MuMi Study]

Overview

Journal Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz

Publisher Springer

Specialty Public Health

Date 2021 Jul 2

PMID 34212208

Citations 6

Authors

Kristin Spinler

Marie-Theres Weil

Richelle Valdez

Carolin Walther

Demet Dingoyan

Udo Seedorf

Guido Heydecke

Berit Lieske

Christopher Kofahl

Ghazal Aarabi

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: First investigations indicate a migration background of residents in Germany as a discrete risk factor for poor oral health. A lower level of oral health literacy among people with a migration background is considered a reason worthy of being investigated.

Aim: This article presents results on oral health literacy and oral health gained from the MuMi study (promoting oral health and oral health literacy of people with a migration background).

Methods: The oral health and oral health literacy as well as the sociodemographics of patients with and without migration background were examined in 40 dental surgeries in Hamburg, Germany. Associations between migrant status, oral health, and oral health literacy were analyzed with logistic regressions. Potential confounders were gradually integrated into the multivariate analyses.

Results: Patients with and without a migration background differed significantly in oral health literacy and clinical parameters of oral health (approximal plaque index and degree of caries restoration). The logistic regression analysis revealed highly significant associations between migration background, oral health literacy, and oral hygiene, while also accounting for education and socioeconomic status.

Discussion: Migration background constitutes a discrete risk factor for lower oral health and oral health literacy for these relevant population groups. This fact needs stronger reflection in further research and political decision-making in order to promote equality of oral health opportunities.

Citing Articles

Oral health literacy and oral health status of a german adult population with migration background - findings from the MuMi Study.

Lieske B, Kofahl C, Borof K, Spinler K, Poth A, Dingoyan D J Migr Health. 2025; 11:100309.

PMID: 40066255 PMC: 11891734. DOI: 10.1016/j.jmh.2025.100309.

Digital Health Literacy of the Population in Germany and Its Association With Physical Health, Mental Health, Life Satisfaction, and Health Behaviors: Nationally Representative Survey Study.

Konig L, Kuhlmey A, Suhr R JMIR Public Health Surveill. 2024; 10():e48685.

PMID: 38381497 PMC: 10918546. DOI: 10.2196/48685.

[Association of oral health literacy and behaviour with physical oral health. What role can dental education play?].

Reissmann D, Lamprecht R, Koch-Gromus U, Borof K, Kofahl C, Harter M Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz. 2023; 66(12):1320-1327.

PMID: 37947842 PMC: 10667136. DOI: 10.1007/s00103-023-03793-2.

Religious affiliation and oral health-related quality of life: a cross-sectional study based on a nationally representative survey in Germany.

Moszka N, Aarabi G, Lieske B, Konig H, Kretzler B, Zwar L BMC Oral Health. 2023; 23(1):586.

PMID: 37612607 PMC: 10463515. DOI: 10.1186/s12903-023-03265-8.

An Evidence-Based Digital Prevention Program to Improve Oral Health Literacy of People With a Migration Background: Intervention Mapping Approach.

Weil M, Spinler K, Lieske B, Dingoyan D, Walther C, Heydecke G JMIR Form Res. 2023; 7:e36815.

PMID: 37166956 PMC: 10214121. DOI: 10.2196/36815.

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