Association Between Dental Caries, Dental Biofilm, and Body Mass Index in Indigenous Children from Two Regions of Ecuador: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Aim: To assess caries prevalence and its association with dental biofilm presence and body mass index (BMI) in children. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 88 children aged 2-12 years were examined. The presence of dental caries was evaluated using the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) II criteria, with caries prevalence and index (dmft/DMFT) calculated based on established codes equivalent to World Health Organization standards (ICDAS II E-G/4-6). Dental biofilm was assessed using a standardized index, and nutritional status was determined by calculating BMI. To analyze the relationships between caries experience (dmft and DMFT) and the independent variables of weight, height, BMI, and dental biofilm index, a multiple linear regression analysis was performed using SPSS v25.0. Results: A high prevalence of dental caries was observed in the study population. For primary teeth, caries prevalence (ICDAS 2-6) ranged from 15.9% to 52.3%, with a mean of approximately two affected teeth per child. In permanent teeth, the prevalence for initial caries lesions (ICDAS II code 2) reached 75%, with an average of three affected teeth per child. A statistically significant correlation was identified between BMI, dental biofilm index, and the DMFT score. Notably, a child's weight demonstrated a moderate negative impact on their DMFT score, explaining 45% of the variance (η² = 0.45). Conclusion: The findings reveal a high burden of dental caries among children in the surveyed rural Ecuadorian communities. The significant association between a lower BMI and a higher caries index, alongside the influence of dental biofilm, underscores the intricate relationship between nutritional status, oral hygiene, and oral health. These results highlight the need for integrated public health interventions that address both malnutrition and oral hygiene to mitigate the high prevalence of dental caries in this and similar populations.