What type of study is this?

This is a Cross-Sectional Study study.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To compare oral health status and access to dental care between migrants and non-migrants in Cyprus.

March 14, 20260 citationsOpen Access

Oral Health Inequalities and Barriers to Dental Care among Migrants in Cyprus: Implications for the Global South and Sustainable Development

FPFrosoulla PhilippidesEuropean University Cyprus KGKonstantinos GiannakouEuropean University Cyprus DLDemetris LamnisosEuropean University Cyprus

Key Points

To compare oral health status and access to dental care between migrants and non-migrants in Cyprus.
Cross-sectional survey conducted among 200 adults (100 migrants and 100 non-migrants) in Nicosia.
Structured questionnaire assessed oral health status and preventive behaviors.
Chi-square tests analyzed between-group differences.
Migrants reported poorer oral health, with higher prevalence of toothache (59% vs. 21%).
Functional impairments were more common in migrants, including chewing difficulties (42% vs. 10%).
Preventive behaviors were less favorable among migrants, with lower fluoride toothpaste use (16% vs. 81%).

Abstract

Background: Migrants frequently encounter structural barriers to healthcare that contribute to persistent oral-health inequalities. In Cyprus, the oral-health status and access barriers affecting migrant communities remain insufficiently documented, limiting the development of equity-driven public-health strategies. Objective: To compare oral-health status, functional impacts, preventive behaviours, and access to dental care between migrants and non-migrants in Cyprus, and to examine sociodemographic and behavioural predictors of oral-health outcomes. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 200 adults (100 migrants and 100 non-migrants) recruited from public health centers in Nicosia between April and May 2025. A structured questionnaire assessed self-reported oral-health status, functional limitations, oral-hygiene practices, dental-care utilisation, and perceived access barriers. Between-group differences were analysed using chi-square tests. Results: Migrants reported significantly poorer oral health than non-migrants, including higher prevalence of toothache (59% vs. 21%), bleeding gums (68% vs. 21%), halitosis (67% vs. 15%), and gum disease (56% vs. 23%) (all p < 0.001). Functional impairments were more common among migrants, including difficulty chewing (42% vs. 10%), brushing (32% vs. 11%), and smiling confidently (36% vs. 12%) (all p < 0.001). Preventive behaviours were markedly less favourable among migrants, who brushed less frequently, reported substantially lower use of fluoride toothpaste (16% vs. 81%), and relied more on toothpicks for oral hygiene (66% vs. 21%) (all p < 0.001). Migrants also experienced significantly greater barriers to dental care, particularly language difficulties, transportation constraints, and dental anxiety. Conclusions: Substantial oral-health inequalities persist between migrants and non-migrants in Cyprus. Culturally responsive, migrant-inclusive oral-health strategies are urgently needed to reduce access barriers, strengthen preventive care, and advance SDG-3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG-10 (Reduced Inequalities).

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