Dental Caries and Anthropometric Measurements in Children Aged between 5-14 Years

Abstract

Introduction: Dental caries is common health condition affecting billions of people
in the world. Dental caries may be linked to obesity, while on the other hand, it
may be linked to underweight/stunting; both are kinds of malnutrition. This study
aims to find dental caries in primary and permanent dentition and nutritional
status of children aged between 5-14 years.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among children
aged between 5-14 years who attended the Department of Pedodontic from
January to April 2022.Dental caries was observed and dmft /DMFT index was
calculated. Anthropometric measurements were done following WHO criteria.
Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated using age percentiles charts for boys and
girls developed by Center for Chronic Disease Prevention.

Results: The total participants were 200 among which 88 (44%) were female
and 112 (56%) were males. The dental caries status of all BMI categories were
observed, caries status was found to be more in deciduous teeth (mean dmft)
than in permanent teeth (mean DMFT).BMI categories showed 39(19.5%)
underweight, 122 (61%) healthy weight, 25 (12.5%) at risk of overweight and 14
(7%) were overweight.

Conclusion: Dental caries status was higher in primary dentition compared to
permanent dentition. Correlation between BMI and dental caries status was not
significant.