The Dental Health of Children of Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Workers
Author: Avery, Kevin T., DMD, MPH
Date Published: 1975
This paper will present the findings of a dental health survey of the school aged children which are part of the comprehensive health evaluation. Although a surprising number of articles about dental programs for migrants have been published, most of this literature recounts the endeavors of dental schools, religious organizations, and health departments to provide dental services. These programs range from small pilot projects to fairly comprehensive systems of care. The articles are replete with opinions and clinical impressions which acknowledge lack of dental care as a problem; but only two small studies have been conducted to establish and define, in a quantitative manner, these extent of dental disease in migrant groups. And the oral health status of seasonal agricultural populations has not been described. The conclusions of this paper are: (1) children of seasonal agricultural workers experience at least the same amount of dental disease as the children of migrant agricultural workers; (2) The children of seasonal agricultural workers receive less dental treatment than the children of migrant agricultural workers; and (3) the children of both seasonal and migrant agricultural workers receive inadequate dental treatment.
Date Published: 1975
This paper will present the findings of a dental health survey of the school aged children which are part of the comprehensive health evaluation. Although a surprising number of articles about dental programs for migrants have been published, most of this literature recounts the endeavors of dental schools, religious organizations, and health departments to provide dental services. These programs range from small pilot projects to fairly comprehensive systems of care. The articles are replete with opinions and clinical impressions which acknowledge lack of dental care as a problem; but only two small studies have been conducted to establish and define, in a quantitative manner, these extent of dental disease in migrant groups. And the oral health status of seasonal agricultural populations has not been described. The conclusions of this paper are: (1) children of seasonal agricultural workers experience at least the same amount of dental disease as the children of migrant agricultural workers; (2) The children of seasonal agricultural workers receive less dental treatment than the children of migrant agricultural workers; and (3) the children of both seasonal and migrant agricultural workers receive inadequate dental treatment.
