Relationship between Vitamin D Status and Caries Incidence in a Group of Egyptian Children: A cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Abstract Background: Dental caries is one of the most common diseases of childhood. It affects the health and well-being of young children. Evidence suggests that malnutrition and vitamin deficiency may increase the risk to dental caries. Aim: The present study was conducted to determine the relationship between vitamin D and dental caries in children. Subjects and methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out on 51 Egyptian children, aged from three to five years old and diagnosed from Abu Rish Children’s Hospital as ‘Sufficient’, ‘Insufficient’ or ‘Deficient’ in vitamin D. Children were divided into 3 equal groups (17 children each). For each child, a structured questionnaire, formed of four sections, was answered by the parents. Dental examination was performed under natural daylight, and caries index (dmf), for each group, was calculated and then compared. Results: There was a medium negative statistically significant correlation between vitamin D levels and dmf scores (p=0.002). The highest mean dmf value was found in children with deficient levels (6.76±2.68), followed by those with insufficient levels (5.71±2.85), while the lowest value was found in children with sufficient levels of vitamin D (4.06±2.54). Most of cases not having gingivitis (p=0.704), not taking fluoride supplements (p=0.764), not brushing their teeth (p=0.896), not eating sugary snacks (p=0.492). There was a significant difference between the three groups (p=0.002) regarding the frequency of dental visits; most of them never go to the dentist except in pain. Conclusion: There is an inverse association between vitamin D levels and dental caries status in preschool children.