Life course approach in the assessment of association between dental caries and health capital with family-related characteristics among 12-year-old school children

AIM: To assess the association of dental caries with health capital among 12-year old in Private and Government school children with differing family-related characteristics. OBJECTIVES: To know the influence of height, weight, and family-related characteristics on dental caries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was done on a sample of 800 students. Stratified systematic random sampling technique was used. Data were collected on health variables that include their height and weight; family characteristics include type of family and time spent with their mothers in a school day and number of children in their family. Clinical examination was done using dentition status and treatment needs. RESULTS: The prevalence of dental caries in government school was 64% and in private school was 59.2%. Logistic regression analysis identified that dental caries was significantly associated with type of school, height, and socioeconomic status and the factors which are not significantly associated are weight, time spent with their mothers, number of siblings, dental visits, and type of family. CONCLUSION: This study reported dental caries prevalence to be 61.6% with a mean DMFT (Decayed Missing Filled Teeth) of 1.26 ± 1.32 in 12-year old children. The cooperation of dentists and pediatricians is necessary in assessment of general and dental health in a holistic context throughout the life course to enhance the well-being of adolescents.