Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the association between body mass index, dental caries (DMFT), untreated dental caries (PUFA) and socioeconomic status in 12 to 15 year old school children. Material and methods: The study sample consisted of 800 children aged 12 to 15 years, who were selected from 8 schools located in the district-Panchkula (Haryana). Intraoral examination was done for assessment of dental caries by using DMFT index (WHO, 2013).The clinical manifestations of untreated dental caries were assessed visually by using the PUFA index (2010). Socioeconomic status of children was assessed by using Kuppuswami’s socioeconomic scale 2016. After one week, anthropometric measurements of children were taken to calculate the body mass index (BMI) of children. Results: Among 800 school children, 503 (62.9%) children had dental caries. The body mass index (BMI) of children was weakly correlated with DMFT (r=0.285) and PUFA (r=0.109) whereas average correlation was found between BMI and SES (r= 0.424). On applying chi-square test, a statistical significant correlation was found between BMI and DMFT (p<0.01), BMI and PUFA (p<0.01) and BMI and SES (p<0.01). SES of children was weakly correlated with DMFT (r= 0.216) but no correlation was found between SES and PUFA (r=0.052, p=0.145). Conclusion: The study concluded that a significant but weak positive correlation was seen between dental caries and BMI. A significantly positive correlation was found between PUFA and BMI. The severity of dental caries increased with increase in BMI. No correlation was found between PUFA and SES.

Background: Good oral health is important for the overall health and well-being of a child and is one of the building blocks for a disease-free life. Parent/caregiver plays a major role in a child's life, so their knowledge and attitude about oral health will have a great impact on the child's oral health. Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate oral health awareness in parents of children aged 6-12 years in Panchkula and its relationship with the dental health status of their wards. Materials and methods: Two hundred parents of children aged 6-12 years with no systemic condition/pathology were included in the study. A comprehensive questionnaire with apparent validity was designed covering questions regarding views of parents for their children on oral health knowledge, caries prevention, and role of diet which was distributed to the parents. Data were statistically analyzed using SPSS 20. Results: The results showed that children of parents having unsatisfactory knowledge of oral health had higher decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT/dmft) scores as compared to the children of parents having satisfactory knowledge of oral health. Conclusion: Education of parents regarding oral health is important in keeping their child's oral health in good condition.

AIM- To evaluate the relationship between dental neglect, dental caries and socio-economic status in 3 to 15 years old children. INTRODUCTION- Dental caries is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases treatment of which is being highly neglected especially in children. Dental Neglect (DN) is persistent failure to meet a child’s basic oral health needs, likely to result in serious impairment of the child’s general health and development. Dental Neglect scale appears to be an appropriate method for objectifying dental neglect.  MATERIALS AND METHOD- The sample consisted of fifty parent children dyads, parents were asked to fill the questionnaires assessing their dental neglect and socio-economic status. Caries were assessed using the WHO criteria (2013). RESULTS- Study showed that a greater dental neglect score (21.16) was reported among children belonging to low socio-economic status. A higher DMFT (2.08) and DMFS (3.0) scores were found to be significantly associated with higher DN.