One of the etiological factors of dental caries are improper eating habits, which also influence the nutritional state of the organism. This similarity tends to establish the relationship between the intensity of tooth decay, and body weight disorders.
Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of dental caries in 7 and 12-year-old children, depending on the nutritional status.
Material and methods: The study included 225 children of both sex, age 7 (132) and 12 years (93) attending to randomly selected schools in Poznań. Dental examination was performed by dentists in schools in artificial light using mirrors and dental probe (criteria according to WHO 1997 ). Based on collected data, caries frequency and caries intensity were calculated (DMF-t -7 and 12-year-olds and dmf-t 7-year olds). Anthropometric measurements such as height and weight were made by school nurses in accordance with guidelines for the performance of screening tests for people of school age. A deficiency or excess body weight in surveyed children rated BMI (Body Mass Index), including percentile ranges for the population of children in Poznań. Assessment of dental caries in groups of pupils were formed due to nutritional status of the respondents i. e. normal-weight and underweight and overweight.
Results: Caries frequency in children of normal weight in the population of 7-year-olds was 82.2% and 53.2% of children aged 12 years. In the group of 7-year-old pupils with overweight and underweight was respectively, 95.0% and 90.9%, 84.2% and 50.0% in the older group. A statistically significant difference between the attendance of dental caries in a group of 12-year-old children with overweight and normal weight and its deficiency was show. The average value of dmf-t in 7-year-old children was 4.02, and the DMF-permanent dentition - 0.19 and the children with over- and underweight respectively dmf- 4.25 and 3,82 and DMF- 0.35 and 0,27. In population of 12-year olds caries DMF was - 1.62, and for children with overweight and underweight, respectively, 2.68 and 1.25. Approximately 66.7% of 12- year old children were classified as normal weight, 20.4% as overweight and 12,9% as underweight, in the 7- year olds respectively 76.5%, 15.2% and 8.3%. Statistically relevant difference between DMF-t values at examined children of both gender with normal weight and overweight were observed only in the group of 12 years old. The surveys revealed that with increase of body the weight prevalence of dental caries grows in the group of older children.
Conclusion: The children with observed abnormal body weight status should be classified in the higher dental caries risk group.