Year : 2024

Volume : Volume 16

Issue : Issue 5

Address for correspondence :
Dr. Dhanu Priya Patel
dhanupriyapatel@gmail.com

Abstract

Aim and Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the association of body mass index (BMI) with dental caries, tooth eruption status, and oral hygiene status in school-going children aged 6–12 years in Jaipur. Materials and Methods: A random sample of 300 children (n = 133 girls and n = 167 boys) aged 6–12 years was evaluated. For the study, demographic details and anthropometric measurements consisting height and weight were recorded. BMI was calculated using the World Health Organization (WHO) diagnostic criteria and plotted on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-BMI for age growth charts/curves for boys and girls to obtain the BMI percentile. Data regarding dental caries were recorded using the WHO criteria for decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) index. Teeth present in the oral cavity were recorded and matched with the chronology table according to the age of the child. Oral hygiene status was assessed using the oral hygiene index-simplified. Data obtained were analyzed using STATA/IC-13 software. One-way analysis of variance test was used to determine the statistical significance of DMFT values. Categorical data were analyzed by Chi-square test between two groups. Results: Out of 300 children, 22.6% (n = 68) were found to be underweight, 56% (n = 168) were healthy, 7.3% (n = 22) were overweight, and 14% (n = 42) were found as obese. A statistically significant association was observed between BMI and teeth eruption status (P < 0.001), while no statistically significant association was observed between BMI and dental caries as well as BMI and oral hygiene status. Conclusion: BMI was not related to dental caries and oral hygiene status but was significantly associated with the tooth eruption status in children. A very concise amount of literature is present related to BMI and its association with dental caries, tooth eruption, and oral hygiene status. Further studies are required to address the factors affecting BMI and other parameters to assess a more definitive relationship among the above parameters with BMI.