Relationship between dental caries and body mass index in children

Abstract

Introduction. Nutrition and oral health are topics of interest in public health, due to their high impact on the well-being and development of people, with a high prevalence and incidence of caries and malnutrition in the first years of life. Objective. To determine the relationship between the dental caries index and body mass index in permanent and temporary dentition in children aged 5 to 11 years of the Health Units in 2019. Methodology. Quantitative approach research. With a sample of 265 records of children aged 5 to 11 years from the San Miguel Tepezontes and Panchimalco Health Units, the body mass index and the caries index were evaluated. A descriptive and inferential statistical analysis was performed, performing the Spearman correlation statistical test. Results. It was found that the caries index is 2,11 in permanent dentition with a prevalence of 70,5 %, and the caries index is 7,02 in temporary dentition with a prevalence of 94,98 %. Spearman’s correlation coefficient between body mass index and caries index in permanent dentition was 0,226, indicating a low positive correlation, and body mass index and caries index in primary dentition was - 0,158, indicating a very low negative correlation. Conclusion. There is a relationship between caries index in both dentitions and body mass index.