Correlation between Dental Caries Level and Nutritional Status of Preschool Children Aged 4-5 Years in Perak Timur Village Surabaya

Abstract

Dental caries and malnutrition in preschool children are public health problems with multifactorial etiologies and mechanisms. Teeth and the oral cavity have an important role of nutritional intake. Nutrition is an important factor that may determine the process of growth and development; accordingly an imbalance between intake and the need of nutrition cause malnutrition. Untreated caries is a disease that may cause pain and discomfort, and therefore may affect the weight, quality of life, and growth of children. Untreated caries may decrease chewing ability, which consequently leads to inadequate nutrient intake. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the correlation between dental caries and nutritional status among preschool children aged 4-5 years in Perak Timur village, Surabaya. Ninety-three preschool children were involved from two early childhood education programs (ECEP). Caries were measured using def-index, and nutritional status was assessed using anthropometric measurement. Assessment of nutritional status was based on the weight/height (W/H) Z-score. There was an inverse linear correlation between dental caries and the nutritional status of children and significantly lower anthropometric outcomes in children at each consecutive group with higher levels of caries. The significancy of Spearman’s test was p=0,000 (p<0,05). The higher the levels of dental caries, the poorer the nutritional status of preschool children.