The oral health status of healthy and obese children in a Turkish population: a cross-sectional study

Aim: To compare the oral health status of a group of obese and healthy Turkish children. Materials and methods: The study involved 43 healthy (19 boys and 24 girls, mean age: 9.88) and 53 obese (18 boys and 35 girls, mean age: 10.4) children who were admitted to a pediatric dentistry clinic in 2008 and 2009. The parents were asked to complete a questionnaire concerning medical history and dietary/oral hygiene habits. The number of decayed, missing, and filled permanent teeth (DMFT); number of decayed, missing, and filled primary teeth (dmft); and gingival bleeding index (GBI) scores of patients were recorded. Statistical differences were evaluated using Student's t-test and the Mann-Whitney U test and the nominal variables were tested with Pearson's chi-square test and Fisher's exact test (P <= 0.05). Results: The educational status of parents did not differ significantly between obese and healthy children (P = 0.064). On a daily basis, obese children consumed significantly more snacks (P = 0.003). The carbohydrate intake of healthy children was restricted to mealtimes (P < 0.001) while obese children consumed significantly more carbohydrates as snacks (P < 0.001). In both groups, the participants displayed similar oral hygiene habits and DMFT and dmft scores although GBI scores were significantly higher in obese children. Conclusion: No relationship was found between obesity and the oral health status of the child population evaluated. Similar oral hygiene habits and socioeconomic status might have contributed to this result.