Assessment of dietary habits and dental caries in 12-15 years old orphanage and parented school children in Odisha: A comparative study

• Author Details:   
• Arnab Das ^*
• Gunjan Kumar
• Rohini Parui
• Ipseeta Menon
• Kunal Jha

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Background: Having healthy teeth is not the only aspect of enjoying good oral health. Due to untreated and active caries, many children experience poor oral and overall health. Neglecting dental hygiene and dietary habits in orphans can negatively affect vital aspects of life, including function, appearance, relationships, and even career opportunities. Aim and Objectives: This study aims to assess the prevalence of dental caries and dietary habits among 12-15-year-old orphaned and parented school children in Odisha.
Materials and Methods: 218 children were included in the study, comprising children from a non-governmental orphanage and those attending a government parented high school. Face to face interview was conducted to collect socio-demographic data and assess dietary habits. Clinical examinations (ADA type-3) were conducted following the WHO-2013 proforma guidelines. Descriptive statistics and chi-square test were used for statistical analysis.
Results: Total 50.46% of children residing in orphanages (110 participants) and 49.54% of children attending parented schools (108 participants). The mean DMFT (Decayed, Missing, Filled Teeth) index was 3.06 ± 2.54 in orphans and 3.42 ± 2.36 in parented school children. The mean age of the orphans was 13.82 years, while the mean age of parented school children was 13.74 years. Dietary items such as lemonade/carbonated drinks, sugar-containing chewing gum, milk with sugar, and tea with sugar were significantly associated with higher DMFT, particularly among children residing in orphanages compared to those in parented schools.
Conclusion: Parented school children exhibited higher rates of dental caries compared to children in orphanages.

Keywords: Dental caries, Diet, Orphan, WHO