Life-conditions and anthropometric variables as risk factors for oral health in children in Ladakh, a cross-sectional survey

Abstract Background The aim of this survey was to evaluate the severity dental caries among children living in Zanskar Valley (Ladakh, India) and its association with anthropometric background variables. Methods This cross?sectional conducted on schoolchildren divided into four age groups (< 6, ? 6 < 11, 11 14 > years age). A total 1474 (607 males, 41.2%) were examined. Actual prevalence (dt/DT) gingival bleeding recorded by calibrated dentists. An ad hoc questionnaire evaluated general health, eating habits, oral hygiene self-perception conditions. Height, weight, waist circumference, heart-rate oxygen-saturation also collected directly examiners. Responses items treated as categorical or ordinal relationship between children’s data, bleeding, gender, Body Mass Index (BMI) following International Obesity Task Force, circumference assessed using Kruskal–Wallis test Pearson correlation. Conditional logistic regression used analyse associations severity, BMI, oxygen saturation items. forward stepwise procedure carried-out estimate ORs covariates derived from examination questionnaire. Results Caries almost ubiquitarian only 10.0% caries-free (dt/DT = 0). both primary permanent dentitions, statistically significantly related frequency self-reported chewing problems ( p 0.01 dentitions). increasing relative risk for dentition compared subjects observed a low BMI (RRR 1.67, 95% CI 1.54/2.83 1–3 lesions RRR 1.52, 1.36/1.74 3 lesions); also, reduced had higher have 2.16, 1.84/2.53) an even more than 4.22, 3.33/5.34). Conclusions significant impact untreated Ladakh schoolchildren; values showed be main predictors. Preventive intervention programmes should implemented improve children's health.