Migration background, oral hygiene behavior and oral health literacy: findings based on a quota-based sample.

Aim: To describe oral hygiene behavior and oral health literacy in the general adult German population (also stratified by migration background) and to identify the association of migration background with such outcomes. Methods: Data from the general adult German population aged 18-74 years was used (quota-based sample representative in terms of age, gender, and federal state). The analytic sample equaled 5,000 individuals, with mean age of 47 years, 51% being female, and 11% had a migration background. Common questions were employed to measure oral hygiene behavior, oral health literacy and migration background. Multiple logistic regressions were used to explore the association of migration background with oral hygiene behavior and oral health literacy. Results: A significant proportion reported not using oral hygiene products, with 35.5% not using an electric toothbrush (not using manual toothbrush: 28.1%), 59.4% not using fluoride gel, and 27.7% not using interdental cleaning aids. Additionally, 14.1% brushed their teeth for less than two minutes and 76.4% reported having at least good oral health literacy. Depending on migration background, some outcomes significantly varied. Adjusted multiple logistic regressions showed that having a migration background (compared to not having a migration background) was significantly associated with lower odds of using an electric toothbrush (OR = 0.79, 95% CI:0.66-0.95) and duration of tooth brushing (OR = 0.54, 95% CI:0.43-0.69). Conclusion: Data on oral health, use of different oral hygiene products, and oral health literacy among adults with migration background is limited. Our analysis adds to this knowledge and helps identify gaps and needs in this population to improve preventive measures.