Relationship Between Body Mass Index, Occlusion, and Dental Caries among School Children in Riyadh

Abstract

Background: Malocclusion and lifestyle diseases like obesity can lead to poor oral hygiene and food stagnation, resulting in increased caries incidence. Objectives: To evaluate the interrelationship of age, body mass index (BMI), occlusion, and dental decay in children aged between 5 and 14. Methodology: Our study included 423 school students aged 5-14 visiting dental clinics. Correlation between BMI and DMFT index using Spearman's correlation coefficient and the association of BMI with gender, age group, and occlusion using the Chi-square test were assessed. Results: The study comprised a larger sample of students aged above 10 years (n = 217) and between 6 and 10 years (n = 183), with Angle's Class I and II malocclusion being predominant. A weak positive correlation was found between BMI and the missing component of the DMFT index, while significant statistical associations were observed between underweight students below 5 years (8.5%) and obesity in those between 6 and 8 years (53.3%) (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Dental practitioners must pay attention to the BMI of children and consider diet as a major intervention for dental caries prophylaxis.