Paramasivam Karthikaa, Manjunathappa Thippeswamy H, Kumar Bhuvaneshwari S, Vaishnavi G
Department of Public Health Dentistry, JSS Dental College and Hospital, JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research, Mysuru, Karnataka, India.
Int J Clin Pediatr Dent. 2025 Aug;18(8):930-939. doi: 10.5005/jp-journals-10005-3190. Epub 2025 Sep 4.
The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between nutrition as reflected by body mass index (BMI) and the prevalence and severity of untreated dental caries in children without prior dental treatment using pulp involvement, ulceration, fistula, abscess (PUFA) index. Dental caries is common among children worldwide, with prevalence linked to factors like income, location, and dental access, affecting 60-90% of school-age children depending on location. Untreated decay can lead to pain, school absence, and low self-esteem. This study examines the relationship between BMI and the PUFA index to assess untreated caries severity. Understanding diet, health, and oral health interactions may support multifaceted interventions for preventing caries in children.
This case-control study involved 100 primary school children in Mysuru city, India. Cases were defined as children with untreated dental caries or clinical consequences of dental caries, while controls were children without untreated dental caries or with only initial or moderate caries. Dental examinations, PUFA index assessments, and weight and height measurements were conducted. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, -tests, and logistic regression.
No significant differences were found in age, weight, height, and BMI between cases and controls, but BMI was reported to be reduced in cases than the controls. However, cases showed significantly higher PUFA scores, particularly in pulpal involvement and abscesses. Socioeconomic status (SES), school type, and location significantly influenced anthropometric measurements but not dental health measures. Logistic regression revealed that higher BMI was associated with lower odds of PUFA category 1, while higher decayed, missing, filled teeth (DMFT) scores increased the odds. Mouthrinsing showed a strong protective effect against severe dental caries.
The study highlights the complex relationship between nutritional status, socioeconomic factors, and dental health in children. While anthropometric measures were similar between groups, significant differences in oral hygiene habits and dental health were observed. The results make it clear that different kinds of public health programs and focused interventions are needed to help children with poor oral health.
This study explores the clinical link between BMI and the PUFA index in primary school children. Understanding this relationship is crucial, as higher PUFA scores reflect severe, untreated dental issues often found in children with lower BMI due to poor nutrition. Identifying such associations can guide interventions that target both oral health and nutritional support, helping reduce dental disease and promote overall health in children.
Paramasivam K, Manjunathappa TH, Kumar BS, . Association of Pulp Involvement, Ulceration, Fistula, Abscess and Body Mass Index among Primary School Children: A Case-Control Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2025;18(8):930-939.
本研究旨在通过牙髓受累、溃疡、瘘管、脓肿（PUFA）指数，确定体重指数（BMI）所反映的营养状况与未接受过牙科治疗的儿童未经治疗的龋齿患病率及严重程度之间的关系。龋齿在全球儿童中很常见，其患病率与收入、地理位置和获得牙科治疗的机会等因素有关，根据地理位置不同，影响60%-90%的学龄儿童。未经治疗的龋齿会导致疼痛、缺课和自卑。本研究考察BMI与PUFA指数之间的关系，以评估未经治疗的龋齿严重程度。了解饮食、健康和口腔健康之间的相互作用，可能有助于支持预防儿童龋齿的多方面干预措施。
本病例对照研究涉及印度迈索尔市的100名小学生。病例定义为患有未经治疗的龋齿或龋齿临床后果的儿童，而对照为没有未经治疗的龋齿或仅有初期或中度龋齿的儿童。进行了牙科检查、PUFA指数评估以及体重和身高测量。统计分析包括描述性统计、t检验和逻辑回归。
病例组和对照组在年龄、体重、身高和BMI方面未发现显著差异，但据报告病例组的BMI低于对照组。然而，病例组的PUFA得分显著更高，尤其是在牙髓受累和脓肿方面。社会经济地位（SES）、学校类型和地理位置对人体测量指标有显著影响，但对牙齿健康指标没有影响。逻辑回归显示，较高的BMI与PUFA 1类的较低几率相关，而较高的龋失补牙（DMFT）得分增加了几率。漱口对严重龋齿有很强的保护作用。
该研究凸显了儿童营养状况、社会经济因素与牙齿健康之间的复杂关系。虽然两组之间的人体测量指标相似，但在口腔卫生习惯和牙齿健康方面观察到了显著差异。结果表明，需要不同类型的公共卫生项目和针对性干预措施来帮助口腔健康较差的儿童。
本研究探讨了小学生BMI与PUFA指数之间的临床联系。了解这种关系至关重要，因为较高的PUFA得分反映了严重的、未经治疗的牙齿问题，这些问题常见于因营养不良导致BMI较低的儿童中。识别此类关联可以指导针对口腔健康和营养支持的干预措施，有助于减少儿童的牙齿疾病并促进其整体健康。
Paramasivam K, Manjunathappa TH, Kumar BS, . 小学儿童牙髓受累、溃疡、瘘管、脓肿与体重指数的关联：一项病例对照研究。《国际临床儿科牙科学杂志》2025年；18(8):930 - 939。
