Background: The “mid-day meal scheme” is the popular name for the school meal program of India, through which meal is provided to school children studying in the government and government aided schools. In non-government schools, children carry tiffin’s from home. Often, due to lack of time and/or knowledge of the parents and students, the contents of the food are not as per a balanced diet. The objective of the study was to analyse and compare the tiffin habits of primary and senior school children.Methods: This was a clinic-based study. Parents of 300 school going children were asked about tiffin habits of their children in a predesigned questionnaire. Data was analysed and conclusions drawn.Results: Most children carried tiffin to school on the majority of days. There was no statistical difference between primary or older children in their tiffin contents. Very few primary school children had a say in the content of tiffin. The senior students spent money in canteen on more days per week, whereas most primary class students spent only once a week or for treats.Conclusions: It is crucial for schools to establish food committees in school that suggests and   monitors tiffin policies and meal plans based on nutrition.

Background: Prevalence of oral diseases is increasing with growing urbanization and changes in living conditions. Increasing consumption of sugary snacks, chocolates, sugary or aerated drinks are making children prone to develop dental problems. Regular toothbrushing, rinsing mouth with water, use of mouthwashes and inter dental brush or dental floss, a balanced diet and regular visits to dentist are associated with a decreased risk of dental diseases. Objective was to determine the oral hygiene practices, dietary habits and dental experience among children of 3-15 years.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study carried out at a tertiary care center and dental college. Questionnaire was used to determine the dental health practices, dietary habit and dental experiences. Responses of 100 duly filled forms were included and statistically analyzed.Results: 100% of the students brushed their teeth daily with toothpaste. About 53% brushed at least twice daily. 85% children rinsed mouth with water after brushing, 42% rinsed mouth with water after every meal. Adult help required for brushing and habit of eating in between meals snacks were significantly more in children of primary section compared to children of 6th standard onwards. Only 16% children were using mouthwash regularly. 47% children visited dentist for various reason out of which 46.8% visited for routine check-up.Conclusions: In our study 100% children were brushing their teeth at least once a day, 42% were rinsing mouth after every meal. Efforts should be made to promote good oral hygiene habits among children through various educational programs.