Year : 2016

Volume : Volume 6

Issue : Issue 3

Address for correspondence :
Dr. Rohini Dua
rohinidua@gmail.com

Abstract

Background:  To determine body mass index (BMI), basal metabolic rate (BMR), socioeconomic status and its relation with the dental caries experience in children aged 3-6 yrs  from both public and private schools. The purpose of the study was to determine whether there is an association between Body Mass Index (BMI), BMR, socioeconomic status and dental caries  Material and Methods: This cross sectional study comprised of 400 children from both genders aged 3-6yrs in both private and government schools. The survey was carried out in order to assess the relation between socioeconomic status of the families, to assess BMI and BMR of the children and dental caries experience  Results: The mean dmft among children with severe, moderate and mild ECC was 7.18, 4 and 2.13 respectively. It was found that with the increase in severity of dmft, BMI decreased and BMR increased. BMI showed statistically significant inverse relation with ECC whereas BMR showed statistically insignificant positive correlation with ECC. It was also found that there was higher caries prevalence among high socioeconomic group. Conclusion: severe ECC can affect the overall growth of the child due to pain in chewing and improper sleep which can be consider an important factor especially in growing years of  child. Awareness, education of parents and facilitation of oral health services may help in improving the overall health of the child.

Keywords: Early childhood caries, BMI, BMR, dmft, socioeconomic status.