Correlating the consequences of untreated dental caries (PUFA/pufa scores) and body mass index related to age in a group of Egyptian children: a correlation study

Abstract

Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the correlation between dental caries and its consequences in terms of pulp involvement, ulceration, fistula, abscess utilizing (PUFA/pufa) indices and specific Body Mass Index (BMI) with reference to age in a group of Egyptian Children.

Methods: A total of 201 children (101 female and 100 male) from Pediatric Dentistry Department in Cairo University having PUFA/pufa ≥1 were included. PUFA/pufa index was used according to the standard procedure to assess the consequence of untreated dental decay. The height and weight of the children were determined using standardized scales. The BMI percentile was computed using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) growth charts.

Results: The correlation between PUFA/pufa and body mass index (BMI) showed no significance correlation (P = 0.740). The correlation between PUFA/pufa scores and BMI in reference to gender also showed no significance correlation. However, the correlation between pufa and BMI percentile group showed positive correlation (P=0.405).

Conclusions: The result show High prevalence of untreated dental caries between children. The younger children have positive correlation between pufa scores and BMI as compared with older children.