A Focus on the Oral Health of the African Child Immigrant in Canada: A Nursing Perspective
Lucy Mensah, Sithokozile Maposa, Marcella OgenchukBackground
Migration, a key social determinant of health, shapes the oral health of African Immigrant Children (AIC), whose well-being may be influenced by the healthy immigrant effect.
Purpose
This study examines how African immigrant parents in Saskatchewan (SK) understand and navigate children's oral health needs and access to care within post-migration contexts.
Methods
A qualitative exploratory design, grounded in community-based participatory research principles, guided the study.
Results
Ten African immigrant parents with children over three years old participated in individual interviews. An inductive thematic analysis was conducted using the Conceptual Framework for Child Flourishing in Canada. Five themes emerged: family oral health practices, parental perspectives on the oral health needs of AIC, experiences accessing dental care, the influence of migration on oral health, and parents’ strengths and recommendations. Socio-economic factors, migration experiences, and parental knowledge played strong roles in shaping AIC's oral health.
Conclusion
Generally, as supported by literature, the oral health of immigrant families, particularly children, declines as their stay in the host country progresses, but this small study suggests otherwise. Several families reported improved practices after settling in Saskatchewan. However, dental service utilization remained low due to cost, limited perceived need, and unfamiliarity with benefits such as the Canadian Dental Care Plan. Participants emphasized the need for increased oral health literacy and system navigation support. Findings highlight the importance of targeted oral health promotion through parental education, community involvement, and school or faith-based initiatives to strengthen oral health outcomes for AIC.