Association of Dental Neglect Scale and Severity of Dental Caries among Nursing Students: A Cross-Sectional Study.

AIMS: The aim of this study is to assess the utilization of available dental services and home dental care practices in a sample of nursing students and to seek out the correlation if any, between the Dental Neglect Scale (DNS) scores and severity of dental caries. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study was conducted among 630 nursing students aged 18-21 years from the area of South Bangalore. The study was cross-sectional in design and a convenience sampling method was adopted to get the desired sample size. A prestructured questionnaire was administered to the students in their classrooms. Following this, a brief oral examination was conducted using mouth mirror and light for the detection of any visible carious lesions. RESULTS: The dental attendance variable was found to be significantly associated with the DNS scores (P < 0.001). The DNS scores were significantly higher (P < 0.001) among those who had visible caries than those who do not. A very good correlation was obtained between scores of DNS and the caries severity (P < 0.001, r = 0.773). CONCLUSIONS: The DNS can be a very good predictor of the dental attendance pattern as well as clinically assessed severity of carious lesions.

Relationship between Body Mass Index and Dental Caries in 13-15-Year-Old School Children of Government and Private Schools in Bengaluru City.

AIMS: The aim of the study was to assess the correlation between body mass index (BMI) and dental caries of 13-15-years-old school children in urban Bangalore and to compare the correlation between BMI and dental decay amongst government and private school children of age group 13-15 years in Bangalore city. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 660 students 13-15 years old were inducted in the study. According to these, 330 students from government schools and 330 students from private schools were examined. A specially designed structured questionnaire was used for compilation of data in the survey. BMI for age percentiles was deducted by weight in kilogram divided by height in meter square. RESULTS: Overall a positive correlation was found between Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth DMFT and BMI. In government schools, Overweight children had more mean DMFT (1.43) than other BMI categories while in Private schools, At risk of overweight children had more mean DMFT (1.4) than other category of BMI children. CONCLUSIONS: A positive correlation was found between DMFT and BMI. In government schools, Overweight children had more mean DMFT than other BMI category while in Private schools, At risk of overweight children had more mean DMFT than other category children.