Prevalence of Dental Caries in Young Obese Patients at Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen Province

Abstract

Background and objective: Childhood obesity is a important public health problem. The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of dental caries in young obese patients who attending at Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen Province.

Methods: This cross - sectional study was conducted during March to October, 2009 at Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen Province. A total of 59 obese patients volunteered to participate in this study. Data were collected from medical records, questionnaires and dental examination. The dental caries status were recorded using the DMFT index.

Results: The average age of the subjects was 9.9 ± 2.4 years old.  The subjects  were between 6 and 17 years. The prevalence rate of dental caries was 76.3%. Age was categorized into two groups. Among those 6-11 years of age, the prevalence rate of dental caries was 81.4 %. Decay, missing and filling of deciduous teeth (dmft) were of 2.5±2.7 teeth/person. Decay, missing and filling of permanent teeth (DMFT) were of 2.0±1.8 teeth/person. Among those 12-17 years of age, the prevalence rate of dental caries was 62.5 %. Decay, missing and filling of permanent teeth (DMFT) were of 4.4±3.8 teeth/person.

Conclusion : This study revealed that the prevalence rate of dental caries in young obese patients was  76.3 %.

Keywords : dental caries,  young obese patients