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414 - Barriers to Oral Healthcare for Uninsured Immigrant Children at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry

Saturday, May 23, 2026
3:00 PM - 3:15 PM PST
Has Audio

    Presenting Author(s)

  • Ozma Khushbakth, Dds

    Pediatric dentistry resident
    University of maryland
    Hanover, Maryland, United States

    • Research Mentor(s)

  • Erica Caffrey, DDS (she/her/hers)

    Clinical Assistant Professor
    University of Maryland School of Dentistry
    University of Maryland School of Dentistry
    baltimore, Maryland, United States

    • Program Director(s)

  • Glenn Canares, DDS (he/him/his)

    Clinical Associate Professor/Residency Director
    University of Maryland School of Dentistry
    University of Maryland School of Dentistry
    Baltimore, Maryland, United States

Abstract: Barriers to Oral Healthcare for Undocumented Children
Khushbakth O,, Caffrey EC
University of Maryland School of Dentistry, Baltimore, MD

Purpose: This pilot study’s purpose is to identify challenges to optimal oral health for undocumented children. The aims are to assess oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL), determine barriers to obtaining dental care, and characterize oral health attitudes of parents of undocumented children.

Methods: This cross-sectional study administered a written 37-question survey to parents of undocumented children who presented to the University of Maryland Pediatric Dentistry clinic. Survey questions retrieved demographic information, OHRQoL, barriers to care, and attitudes. Descriptive statistics, Mann Whitney U Test and Kruskal-Wallis Tests were used to evaluate data.

Results: A hundred and six parents participated in this study. The most frequently reported negative OHRQoL indicators were dissatisfaction with esthetics (33%), missed school days due to dental pain (26%) and tooth pain (18%). Negative oral health care attitudes including fears of provider bias toward patient affording treatment (63%), language barriers (41%) and cultural differences (32%). No significant associations were found between housing and food insecurity, duration of residence in the United States, and negative OHRQoL.

Conclusion: Undocumented children experience negative sequelae of poor oral health, difficulties in access to oral health care providers, and concerns of provider bias and lower quality care. Increased knowledge of the oral health experiences, attitudes, needs and social determinants of health of undocumented families are urgently required.

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