Abstract

Hala Nadhim Kadhim*

ABSTRACT

Background: Vitamin D has a vital factor in the maintenance of calcium and phosphate metabolism and their deposition in mineralized tissues including teeth. Objective: To investigate the relation of vitamin D level among 6-12 years old children and their dental caries. Patients and Methods: Two hundred children were asked to participate in this study. Their ages ranged between 6-12 years. Their variables were identified and included socioeconomic status, age, medical history, health-related behaviors, dietary intake, dental history, presence of any dental complaints and oral hygiene practice. The mouth health measures to be investigated in this study were decayed, missing, and filled teeth index. Vitamin D measurements were analyzed by I-Chroma II, Boditch Medical Inc., Republic of Korea. Three vitamin levels were considered as deficient, insufficient and sufficient. Results: Among 200 children who involved in this work, 9 (4.5%) children had dental caries. Male children, parents education, no onchophagia, no toothache and children with brushing 2 times a day were significantly had less incidence of dental caries. While, age, house hold income and residency have no relationship with presence of dental caries. Vitamin D estimations were reported as deficient, insufficient and sufficient at a rate of 14.5%, 31% and 54.5% respectively. The highest incidence of dental caries was detected among deficient children (22.2%) in comparison to either insufficient (66.7%) or sufficient (11.1%) children. Conclusions: There is high incidence of dental caries among vitamin D deficient children but its causation cannot be confirmed. Therefore, vitamin D deficiency can be considered as a predisposing factor for dental caries.