Nutritional Status and Dental Caries Experience among 36-59-Months-Old in Kiambu Kenya

Abstract

Background: Nutritional status has a major role in the growth and development of children. Dental caries is one of the commonest chronic diseases that children suffer from globally.

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between nutritional status and dental caries experience among children aged 36-59 months in Kiambu County. 

Materials and methods: The study was descriptive and cross sectional; conducted for a period of six months and involved 380 children aged 36-59 months in Kiambu County in Kenya. Multistage stratified sampling was used to select the schools from the administrative units called Wards. Semi-structured, self-administered questionnaires was used to gather socio-demographic data. Nutritional status was assessed using World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines. Oral hygiene status was assessed using the plaque index of Silness and Loe (1964). Dental caries was determined using the WHO criteria of 2013.

Results: The ages of the children ranged between 36-59 months with a mean age of 48.36 months (SD 7.06). The response rate was 295 (77.6%). One hundred and forty-two (48.1%) children were males while 153 (51.9%) were females. The prevalence of dental caries was 62.7% (n=185). The mean dmft for the group was 3.19 (SD 3.96). Anthropometric assessment revealed low prevalence of stunting (n=6), underweight (n=4) and wasting (n=3). There was no significant relationship between all nutritional parameters and dental caries experience.

Conclusion: There is no relationship between nutritional status and dental caries experience among children aged 36-59 months.