A study on the relationship between body mass index and dental caries in children at the Polyclinic, Kulliyyah of Dentistry IIUM

• Main Authors: Faisal, Ghasak Ghazi, Ardini, Yunita Dewi, Ibrahim, Farahin, Mohd Noh, Nur Zety
• Format: Proceeding Paper
• Language: English; English; English; English
• Published: 2014
• Subjects: R Medicine (General); RJ Pediatrics; RK Dentistry
• Online Access: http://irep.iium.edu.my/38905/1/3rd_IIUM_DSSC_poster.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/38905/2/IIUM_DSSC_3.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/38905/3/scan0002.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/38905/8/scan0001.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/38905/; http://eximiustheseventh.blogspot.com/2014/02/3rd-iium-dental-conference.html
• Institution: Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia

Objective: To investigate the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and dental caries among paediatric patients attending the Polyclinic, Kulliyyah of Dentistry, IIUM. Materials and Methods: Total of 120 patients attending Paediatric Dentistry clinic, aged between 3-12 years old were included in this study. Body weight and height of the patient were measured. They were grouped according to BMI categories; underweight, normal, overweight, and obese. Dental charting was done and information regarding frequency of brushing, sugary food intake, parents’ educational level and income were obtained from the questionnaires given to the parents. Results: Out of 120 patients, 20.8% patients were underweight, 65 % normal, 5 % overweight, and 9.2 % obese. Meanwhile, 16.7% of the children had low caries risk, 20.8% medium caries risk and 62.5% high caries risk. Both underweight and overweight children showed increased prevalence of high caries risk than normal weight children. However, it is not statistically significant p>0.05 . The results showed that the age group three to five scores highest in high risk caries (69.6%) and, children with low sugary intake showed the highest percentage of low caries risk (50%). Children who do not practice tooth brushing also showed the highest caries risk (76.9%). Conclusions: Dental caries is a multifactorial disease caused by factors such as age, diet and oral self-care. Therefore, BMI can be attributed to play only a partial role in determining caries status in children. Hence, oral health education and dietary advice should be emphasized during early childhood to achieve good oral health.