Abstract:
Background: Body Mass Index (BMI) is an anthropometric measurement measuring weight relative to height and the formula is BMI= mass (kg) / (height (m))2. Usually, for individuals below the age of 20 years, BMI percentile is calculated. Dental caries is defined as “a microbial disease of the calcified tissues of the teeth, characterized by demineralization of the inorganic portion and destruction of the organic substance of the tooth (Shafer et al, 1974). It begins as subsurface demineralization of the enamel. Oral Health Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) was defined by Locker and Allen as “The impact of oral diseases and disorders on aspects of everyday life that a patient or person values, that are of sufficient magnitude, in terms of frequency, severity or duration to affect their experience and perception of their life overall”.
Since, the prevalence of obesity as well as dental caries are currently more, the interrelationship among them was assessed, including dental age, along with their effect on quality of life of the child.
Methods: 200 children (both girls and boys) were selected based on inclusion criterias and Michigan OHRQoL - child version and ADA caries risk assessment questionnaires was used for assessment of OHRQoL. An oral examination was done for assessment of dental caries using DMF/dmf indices, measurement of weight and height of the child was done for BMI percentile.
Results: Significant inverse correlation was observed between OHRQoL and BMI, whereas, Dental caries had direct correlation with OHRQoL.
Conclusion: BMI and dental caries can be used as a predictor of OHRQoL status and thus, can help in initiating prevention as well as management of dental caries both in individual and community levels based on the prevalence of BMI status of children in that area, and ultimately improving the quality of life of the children. A medical practitioner thus, should guide the parents to visit a pedodontist as well as a routine checkup.
Biography:
Dr DIVYA BANU M is a skilled Pediatric and infant dentist with rich clinical experience of 10+ years. She has completed her Bachelor of Dental Surgery from RVS Dental College And Hospital, Coimbatore and Master of Dental Surgery from Army College of Dental Sciences, Secunderabad. Currently, she is the senior specialist in India’s largest Dental chain-Clove Dental. She possesses extensive expertise in several dental procedures such as root canal treatments, prosthetic and aesthetic treatments, minor surgical procedures, sectional orthodontics, sedation, management under general anesthesia, sleep medicine and myofunctional therapies, and specialises in various pediatric and preventive procedures including those with special health care needs. Due to her keen interest in academia, Dr Divya Banu M has attended various state and national conferences and has several publications in various national and international speciality and non-speciality indexed journals like JSAAPD, CCD, JISPPD, IJDR, etc. Also, she has been awarded Short Term Studentship for research by Indian Council of Medical Research. She is editor in IIP series, editorial board member in Oral Microbiome and Dental Health; reviewer in JOCPD, MJAFI journals. She has also won Top Pedodontist Award by Clove Dental and 100 Powerful Personalities, Best International Researcher Awards. She believes in delivering comprehensive dental treatments to her patients followed by regular follow ups and preventive care. Her primary objective has always involved exhibiting exemplary dedication and commitment towards the profession. Apart from being a passionate dentist, she also has a keen interest in music, dance, traveling, chess, sports and games, physical fitness, and athletics. She is a classical dancer, national level chess player and sprinter and has also, won Miss Aaghaz 2019.
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