BACKGROUND:
Dental caries is the most prevalent oral disease among young children worldwide. Migrant communities are at a higher risk of developing dental diseases, often due to socioeconomic, cultural and systemic barriers to care(1,2,3,4). This study aimed to explore the perspectives of parents and professionals on disadvantaged migrant children’s oral health behaviours, dental care access, and underlying causes and consequences of oral health issues. A secondary aim was to identify community-generated recommendations for improving outcomes.

METHODS:
Using a Participatory Action Research (PAR) approach(5), we employed multiple qualitative

METHODS:
1) participant observation in diverse community settings, such as the broader neighbourhood, a primary school, community centre, dental and medical clinics, and a food bank; 2) twelve individual semi-structured interviews with professionals including health care workers, educators, and parents; 3) two focus group discussions with mothers and social workers; and 4) three informal conversations with other key stakeholders. Data were analysed using thematic analysis, and findings were structured according to the Fisher-Owens model, highlighting child-level, family-level, and community-level influences on children's oral health(6).

RESULTS:
Oral health challenges are closely tied to poverty, which limit access to dental care, nutritious food, and oral hygiene products. Professionals observed that sweets are often used to comfort children, even in clinical settings. Poverty further contributed to parentification, whereby children assumed adult responsibilities(7). In this neighbourhood, cultural norms favour curative over preventive dental care. Mothers emphasized the need for improvement in infrastructure & play facilities, health & nutrition and community engagement. Professionals called for interdisciplinary and parent-inclusive collaboration.

CONCLUSIONS:
Poverty, culture and the local food environment were seen as key barriers to oral health. This project fostered awareness and strengthened collaboration among parents, school staff, the community centre and healthcare providers. Policymakers should prioritize accessible, affordable healthy food options, and consider measures to support better dietary habits.