Background: Childhood obesity is posing a significant health concern due to a sedentary lifestyle and altered dietary patterns and so has changed the dental caries pattern across the world. There are inconsistent reports regarding the association between dental caries and body mass index (BMI) worldwide. The present study aimed to determine the presence of any connection between BMI and dental caries incidence in Egypt of Assuit region.
Materials and methods: Demographic data, caries indices (DMFT and deft) and BMI of 254 children were collected after clinical examination and recording weight and height respectively.
Results: There was a significant correlation of BMI with DMF/def in all children and girls (136) but not in boys (118). Comparisons of mean BMI and mean DMF/def among four subgroups [healthy (144), overweight (12), obese (30) and underweight (68)] were statistically highly significant. However, correlation of BMI and DMF/def was statistically significant in overweight children only (p<0.00512).
Conclusion : There was a significant correlation of BMI with caries index in these children. The Strong relation between caries activity of overweight children and BMI suggests that alteration in food patterns during weight gain period may pose an increased risk for caries.