Studies have suggested that maternal oral health, knowledge and attitudes affect mothers' propensity to care for their children's teeth. Objective: To predict Chinese immigrant and Belfast mothers' intentions to brush their infants' teeth. Methods: 41 Chinese and 44 NI mothers were recruited from areas of high deprivation in Belfast. D3CVMFT was recorded and questionnaires assessed oral health knowledge and attitudes. Results: The response rates for Chinese and Belfast mothers were 91% and 90% respectively. No differences in demography were shown between Chinese and Belfast mothers. The mean D3CVMFT score in Chinese mothers was significantly lower (P<0.05); however, the mean D3CV score in Chinese compared with Belfast mothers was significantly higher (P=0.02). Belfast mothers had significantly greater mean numbers of filled teeth (P<0.001). Chinese mothers had significantly higher mean scores for ‘difficulties with child toothbrushing' attitude (P=0.001) whereas Belfast mothers had significantly higher scores for ‘empowered child toothbrushing' attitude (P=0.03). Belfast mothers had significantly greater mean scores for the intention ‘to brush their infants' teeth' (P=0.002). Chinese compared with Belfast mothers had significantly lower mean scores for knowledge (P<0.001) and attitudes (P<0.001) for the prevention of dental decay and for the intention to control their infants' sugar consumption (P=0.002). A hierarchical linear regression analysis showed that intention to brush infants' teeth was predicted by ethnicity (P<0.001), marital status (P=0.009), the intention to control sugar consumption (P<0.001), and knowledge and enabling attitudes to prevent dental decay (P<0.01). Conclusion: Chinese immigrant mothers had greater unmet dental needs, had less knowledge and felt less empowered to control their infants' dental decay and sugar consumption. These factors acted as inhibitors for Chinese mothers' intentions to brush their infants' teeth. Targeted oral health promotion should be considered to reduce health disparities in Chinese immigrant mothers residing in areas of high social deprivation in Belfast.

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