preschool children | Acta Medica Marisiensis

The association between decay missing filled tooth index and body mass index in a group of preschool children

Liana Beresescu¹, Denisa Oprea², Florina Ruta³, Raluca Sabau⁴, Alexandra Mihaela Stoica⁵

1. Department of Preventive and Community Dentistry, Faculty of Dental Medicine, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Targu Mures, Romania
2. Faculty of Dental Medicine, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Targu Mures, Romania
3. Department Community Nutrition and Food Safety, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Targu Mures, Romania
4. Private practice, Targu Mures, Romania
5. Department of Odontology and Oral Pathology, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Targu Mures, Romania

DOI: 10.2478/amma-2024-0033

Background: Dental caries and obesity are prevalent chronic conditions across all age groups, with common multifactorial causes such as diet and socioeconomic status.
Objective: The aim of this study was to determine if there is a correlation between the decay missing filled tooth (DMFT) index and body mass index (BMI) in preschool children.
Materials and Methods: The study included 390 children aged 4 to 6 years, comprising 262 boys and 128 girls. The DMFT indices were assessed by two dentists, while anthropometric measurements were conducted by a nutritionist. BMI was calculated using the WHO AnthroPlus application.
Results: Most children were of normal weight (332), with 28 being underweight and 30 overweight. There were no obese children. Underweight children had a mean DMFT index of 3.7 ± 3.56, significantly higher than those of normal weight (2.0 ± 1.88) and overweight children (1.9 ± 1.60).
Conclusions: This study highlighted an association between the DMFT index and BMI in preschool children, with underweight children having a higher DMFT index compared to those of normal weight and overweight.

Use of Dentifrices and Fluoride Supplements by Preschool Children – a Pilot Study

Cămărăşan Alina¹, Székely Melinda¹, Borş Andreea¹, Mucenic Simona¹, Kerekes-Máthé Bernadette¹, Cerghizan Diana²

1 Department of Morphology of Teeth and Dental Arches; Technology of Dental Prosthesis and Dental Materials, Faculty of Dental Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Tîrgu Mureş, Romania
2 Department of Prosthetic Dentistry and Oral Rehabilitation, Faculty of Dental Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Tîrgu Mureş, Romania

Aim: The purpose of this pilot study was to collect information about tooth brushing habits of preschool children in Targu-Mures and to identify the usage of fluoride (F) supplements.
Material and methods: A structured questionnaire was completed by the parents of 81 children aged 3 to 6 years (37 girls and 44 boys) regarding the tooth cleaning habits of their children and use of F supplements. Chi-square test for independence and trend was used to determine the relation between age of children and quantity of toothpaste used and frequency of tooth brushing, respectively.
Results: All parents claimed that fluoride dentifrices were used and tooth brushing of children was supervised. 24.69% of the children have started tooth brushing before the age of 2 years. Most of the children brushed their teeth at least twice a day (59.25%) and used more than an optimal amount of toothpaste (60.49%). A statistically significant association between children’s age and amount of dentifrice used (p = 0.0496) and also a significant linear trend (p = 0.0216) was found. We also found a significant association (p = 0.0246) and a significant linear trend (p = 0.0029) between the age of children and frequency of tooth brushing. Only 13.58% of the children received F supplements.
Conclusion: Special attention should be given to the amount of toothpaste used by children younger than 6 years in order to avoid uncontrolled fluoride ingestion. Before administration of F supplements, the fluoride intake from other sources should be investigated.