Association Between Early Childhood Caries and Obesity among Preschool Children.

PURPOSE: Early childhood caries (ECC) and childhood obesity are among the most prevalent health conditions affecting children. ECC is associated with obesity through the common risk factor of sugar consumption. The present study aimed to assess the association between ECC and obesity in preschool children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1250 preschool children (698 girls, 552 boys; mean age: 4.3 [1.1] years). The children's body mass index was determined (BMI: weight/height in kg/m2). The World Health Organization criteria were used for the diagnosis of caries. Multivariable logistic regression was used to analyse the relationship between ECC prevalence and childhood obesity. RESULTS: ECC was detected in 929 (74.3%) children. The mean dmft and dmfs was 5.91 (1.13) and 8.92 (2.07), respectively. The multiple regression model showed a statistically significant association between ECC prevalence and obesity with an adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 2.59 (95% CI: 1.88 - 3.57; P = 0.001). The logistic regression model showed that in children with a monthly family income > $2666, sugar consumption, preterm low birth-weight/full-term low birth-weight (PTLBW/FTLBW), and toothbrushing frequency ≤ 1 time/day were statistically significantly associated with ECC prevalence. CONCLUSION: ECC was positively associated with obesity.

Dental Erosion Prevalence and Its Association With Obesity Among Children With and Without Special Healthcare Needs.

PURPOSE: Dental erosion and childhood obesity are associated with a common risk factor, soft drink consumption. The present study aims to assess the prevalence of dental erosion and its association with obesity among children with and without special healthcare needs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 1,200 school children (400 children with special needs (CSHN) and 800 children without special needs) in the age group of 6 to 16 years. Dental erosion was diagnosed according to World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. Body mass index (BMI; weight/height in kg/m2) was recorded for each child. The association of dental erosion and obesity was analysed using multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 331 (27.6%) children presented with dental erosion. Dental erosion prevalence among CSHN was 33.5% and among children without special needs was 24.6%. In the final fully adjusted model, children with obesity presented 2.32 times (95%CI 1.17-4.89, P = 0.001) higher odds ratio (OR) of having dental erosion than normal-weight children. Children who consumed soft drinks ≥ 1 time/day and 2-6 times a week presented with an OR of 2.65 (95%CI 1.23-5.21, P = 0.001) times of dental erosion. Children with chronic vomiting and bulimia presented with a 3.27 (95%CI 1.72-6.12, P = 0.001) times higher OR of dental erosion. Children with gastric reflux presented with a 3.21 (95%CI 1.52 - 5.86, P = 0.001) times higher OR of dental erosion. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of dental erosion was slightly higher for special needs children compared to children without special needs. The study outcome suggests that obesity, chronic vomiting, consumption of soft drinks, and gastric reflux are statistically significantly associated with dental erosion.

Frequency of molar incisor hypomineralization and associated factors among children with special health care needs.

BACKGROUND: Molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH) is a frequently encountered oral condition that varies from mild opacities to posteruptive enamel breakdown. No previous published studies have investigated the frequency of MIH and associated risk factors among children with special health care needs (CSHCN) to our awareness. OBJECTIVES: Assess the frequency of MIH and associated risk factors among CSHCN. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. SETTING: Schools in provincial city of Saudi Arabia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study was conducted among 400 (180 boys and 220 girls) special needs children. Diagnosis of MIH was according to the European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry criteria. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Result of logistic regression analysis that assessed the association between MIH prevalence and associated prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal factors. SAMPLE SIZE: 400 (180 boys and 220 girls) special needs children. RESULTS: Among 400 CSHCN, 98 (24.5%) presented with MIH. Children with multiple disabilities had a 3.89 times greater risk of MIH (95% CI: 1.91-6.19, P=.002). Children with positive prenatal factors had an adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of 2.31 times for MIH (95% CI: 1.22-4.73, P=.012). Children with a childhood infection history had an aOR of 2.43 times for MIH (95% CI: 1.31-5.85, P=.014). Children with a breastfeeding history >18 months had an aOR of 3.73 for MIH (95% CI: 1.62-8.60, P=.002). Permanent maxillary first molars were the most frequently affected teeth, and demarcated opacity was the most frequent MIH type. CONCLUSION: MIH should be recognized as one of the prevalent oral health problems among CSHCN to prevent tooth mortality. LIMITATIONS: A cross-sectional study cannot establish a causal relationship. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST: None.

Traumatic dental injuries in special health care needs children and association with obesity.

BACKGROUND: Special needs children are at a higher risk of dental trauma because of neurological, physical, mental, and behavioral impairments. They are also at higher risk of developing obesity due to the side effects of medication. OBJECTIVE: Assess the association between traumatic dental injuries (TDIs) and obesity in children with special health care needs. DESIGN: Analytical cross-sectional study. SETTING: Schools for special needs children. STUDY POPULATION AND METHODS: Special needs children with a diagnosis of TDI according to the Andreasen criteria were included in the study. Data on the disability status were obtained from a national demographic survey in 2016. Demographic and dental variables were measured for analysis. Multivariable logistic regression was used to analyse any relationship between TDI prevalence and obesity. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Relationship of body mass index (BMI) to TDI prevalence. SAMPLE SIZE: 350 (131 boys and 219 girls) special needs children with a median (interquartile range) age of 12.0 (2.0) years. RESULTS: Eighty-one (23.1%) children presented with TDIs. The mean (standard deviation) BMI for the entire study population was 24.7 (7.8). Children with obesity had a 30.3% TDI prevalence compared normal-weight children (20.6%) (P=.035), but BMI category was not statistically significant in the regression analysis (P=.541), which showed that children with an overjet of >3 mm were 4.82 times (CI: 2.55-9.09, P=.001) more likely to have TDI than children with an overjet of ≤3 mm. Those with inadequate lip coverage were 2.85 times (CI: 1.49-5.44, P=.002) more likely to have TDI. Children with cerebral palsy were 3.18 times (CI: 1.89-11.32, P=.024) more likely to have TDI than children with other disabilities. CONCLUSION: The study showed a significant association between TDI prevalence and increased overjet, inadequate lip coverage, and cerebral palsy. The prevalence of TDI among obese special needs children was statistically significant according to bivariate analysis, but not in a multivariate analysis that adjusted for other variables. LIMITATIONS: Causal relationship cannot be established with cross-sectional study. CONFLICT OF INTEREST: None.

Association Between Dental Caries and Obesity among Children with Special Health Care Needs.

PURPOSE: Obesity and dental caries constitute an important public health problem worldwide. Special-needs children are at higher risk of developing dental caries and obesity because of their physical, neurological, or behavioural impairment or due to side effects of the medications they take. The present study was conducted to assess the association between dental caries and obesity among children with special health care needs in Taif City, Saudi Arabia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 (220 girls and 180 boys) special-needs children. Body mass index (BMI) was determined by using height and weight measurements. Dental caries was recorded according to World Health Organization criteria. The association between caries and obesity was assessed using multivariable logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: 289 (72.3%) children presented with caries with mean dmft and DMFT of 3.9 ± 2.7 and 4.8 ± 2.3, respectively. Regression analysis showed specials needs children were at a greater risk of having dental caries: 1.69 times (CI: 0.18-2.62, p < 0.05) greater with obesity; 2.01 (CI: 0.18-3.09, p < 0.05) times greater with sugar consumption; 2.21 times (CI: 1.27-4.12, p < 0.001) greater with cerebral palsy; and 2.27 (CI: 1.29-5.12, p < 0.001) times greater with intellectual disability. CONCLUSION: The present study showed a positive association between dental caries and obesity among children of special health care needs. Hence, a focused approach towards the common risk factors is essential to prevent both obesity and dental caries in special-needs children.