Year: 2016
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Aim Previous research on associations between dental caries and BMI among children has produced inconsistent results. The aim of this study was to assess the associations between dental caries and height, weight and BMI among 5 to 9 year old Bangladeshi children. Methods A cross sectional observational study was conducted among 5-9 year old children in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Ethical approval was granted by the UCL Research Ethics Committee and National Research Ethics Committee Bangladesh. All parents gave their written consent. Children were recruited from those coming for dental treatment to Dhaka Dental College Hospital and from three nearby primary schools. Clinical dental data were collected by trained and calibrated dentists, using WHO Oral Health Survey Basic |Methods (2013). Outcome measures were height, weight and BMI of the children, converted to Z-scores: weight-for-age (WAZ), height-for-age (HAZ) and BMI-for-age (BAZ). The main exposure was a combined measure of decayed, missing and filled deciduous and permanent teeth (dmft+DMFT). Multiple linear regression analysis was used to assess the associations of interest, adjusting for potential confounders (age, sex, parental education, occupation and household income). Results The final sample comprised 788 children and response rate was 92%. The mean dmft+DMFT in the study population was 2.8 (95% CI: 2.6-3.0). Children with high level of caries experience had significantly lower HAZ, WAZ and BAZ scores compared to low and no caries groups. In the fully adjusted model, one-point increase in dmft+DMFT score was associated with 0.1 decreases in each of the HAZ, WAZ and BAZ scores (P < 0.001). Conclusions The results of this study provide evidence that dental caries was associated with lower height, weight and BMI among Bangladeshi children. As dental caries appears to contribute to lower height and weight in children; so, it is important to reduce the high levels of dental caries among Bangladeshi children. Key messages: Dental caries was associated with lower height, weight and BMI among Bangladeshi children The caries level is high in this country and most of the decay remains untreated. So, it is important to reduce the high levels of dental caries among Bangladeshi children
Authors: MP Mishu, R Watt, G Tsakos, A Heilmann
Institution: University College London
Language: English
Subfield: Periodontics
Field: Dentistry
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W2746920785