Estado nutricional e cáries dentárias em crianças e adolescentes cambojanas vulneráveis que vivem em Phnom Penh

Maria-Raquel G. Silva; Justine Manac’h; Vítor Rosado-Marques; José Frias-Bulhosa

doi:10.14195/2182-7982_38_4

Authors

Maria-Raquel G. Silva University Fernando Pessoa, Faculty of Health Sciences https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8170-3119
Justine Manac’h University Fernando Pessoa, Faculty of Health Sciences
Vítor Rosado-Marques University of Coimbra, CIAS - Research Centre for Anthropology and Health - Group of Human Biology, Health and Society, Department of Life Sciences https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4343-6624
José Frias-Bulhosa University Fernando Pessoa, Faculty of Health Sciences https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7053-9189

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14195/2182-7982_38_4

Keywords:

nutritional status, dental caries, adolescents, Cambodia

Abstract

Research has demonstrated that during childhood, malnutrition is related to the most prevalent oral disease in Cambodian, dental caries. This cross-sectional study investigated the nutritional status and dental caries of 344 vulnerable Cambodian children and adolescents aged 6 to 18 years old. Nutritional status (body weight, height and body mass index-for-age and sex) and the DMFT index (decayed-missing-filled teeth) were measured and calculated. The majority presented normal weight (56.7%), 36.6% were underweight, 6.7% were overweight and 45.1% were stunted. Dental caries prevalence was remarkably high (94.9%). Children aged 6-11y-old presented a significantly higher DMFT index(6.7±4.0) than adolescents(4.0±2.9 for 12-14y and 4.1±1.6 for 15-18y,P<0.01). Moreover, participants suffering from underweight showed the highest DMFT index(6.6±3.8). Vulnerable and at-risk children, aged 6-11y-old and underweight were the most affected, therefore, prevention is urgent, especially nowadays. Nutritional and oral health literacy should be encouraged.

Keywords: nutritional status; dental caries; children; adolescents; Cambodia.