Nutritional status and dental caries of vulnerable Cambodian children and adolescents living in Phnom Penh

Abstract

During childhood, malnutrition is associated with dental caries, being the most prevalent oral disease in Cambodian. Therefore, this cross-sectional study investigated the nutritional status and the prevalence of dental caries in 344 vulnerable Cambodian children and adolescents aged 6 to 18 years old. Nutritional status (body weight, height and body mass index-for-age and sex) and the DMFT index (decayed-missing-filled teeth) were measured and calculated. Results showed that most participants presented normal weight (56.7%), 36.6% were underweight, 6.7% were overweight and 45.1% were stunted. Dental caries prevalence was remarkably high (94.9%) with children aged 6-11y-old presenting a significantly higher DMFT index (6.7 ± 4.0) than adolescents (4.0 ± 2.9 for 12-14y and 4.1 ± 1.6 for 15-18y, P < 0.01). Children suffering from underweight showed the highest DMFT index (6.6 ± 3.8). In conclusion, vulnerable and at-risk children aged 6-11y-old and underweight were the most affected; therefore, prevention is urgent, especially nowadays. Nutritional and oral health literacy should be encouraged.