Background:Little is known about oral health care in Syrian refugee children in host countries. We describe the pattern and nature of oral healthcare service provided to Syrian refugee children in Jordan Method: The clinical records of 3 to 7-year-old children who attended dental clinics at Zaatari refugee camp over a period of 8 months were retrieved and analyzed.

Community Dent Oral Epidemiol. 2020;48:195-200. | 195 wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/cdoe | INTRODUC TI ONRefugees constitute a heterogeneous population. Coming from different backgrounds, they experience, in their own and hosting countries, a wide range of practices that may affect their health. 1 It is generally acknowledged that refugees have greater health needs and concerns than most immigrants, partly arising from the refugee experience and resettlement process. 1 In situations of political and social uncertainty, children and adolescents are at higher risk of psychological instability and trauma, subsequently warranting special attention and care to address their healthcare needs. 2,3 Refugees face many difficulties when seeking healthcare services. These include poverty, discrimination and fragmented families. 4 In addition, a lack of adequately trained and understanding healthcare providers, facilities and a shortage of available funding for health services may limit their accessibility to appropriate health care. 1,5 Thus, highlighting the impact of poor oral health on quality of life is of vital importance, especially since such individuals are Abstract Objectives: Little is known of the oral health of refugees globally. The objective of this study was to characterize the oral health and care-seeking behaviours of refugees by investigating patterns of dental services provided to Syrian refugees in Jordan and their association with their oral health status. Methods:Clinical records from 444 patients who had received dental treatment over a 9-month period were retrieved and analysed. Collected data included gender, age and the type and number of treatment procedures provided for each patient. Results:Of the total sample (51.8% female; 48.2% male; aged 18-60 years), pain was the most common presenting complaint (73.0%), with poor aesthetics (17.1%) the second most common presenting complaint. About 63.3% of patients received only one procedure due to patients' lack of follow-up. Over half (54.5%) of dental treatments carried out were extractions, 74.1% of which were due to dental caries; 27.4% were fillings. Endodontic treatment was the least provided procedure (18.2%). Conclusions:The oral health status of Syrian refugees is a major concern, given the often-deplorable living conditions in camps and limited, often inadequate access to oral healthcare services. This situation dramatically negatively affects a refugee's oral health. There is an urgent need to provide targeted dental services for this at-risk population. Additional research is warranted on refugees worldwide, and on the provision of appropriate interventions to enable optimal oral health for this population.