Overview of dental caries severity and body mass index (BMI) on elementary school children

Aims and Objective: This study aimed to identify the risk factors of dental caries severity in elementary school-aged children, as well as the tendency of their effects on body mass index (BMI). Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive observational study with cross-sectional approach, conducted at national elementary school in Keputih Health Center. The population in this study was all students who attended national elementary school in Keputih Health Center (120 students). Measurement of caries severity was done using decay, missing, filled-teeth index (DMFT) and WHO questionnaire, while BMI assessment was done by measuring body weight and height and BMI questionnaires that had been tested for validation and reliability. Results: In this study, respondents who experienced caries were 89.5% and the mean DMFT value was 5.42. Respondents who had abnormal BMI value were 73.6%, while 26.4% had normal BMI values. Conclusions: The severity of dental caries, when specified by BMI and its risk factors, showed that group of subjects with a total amount of DMF >5 was dominated by BMI in the underweight category.