The correlation of dietary calcium and phosphorus intake with DMFT among Korean schoolchildren

Ji-Hye Park*   

Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, College of Medicine, Yeungnam University

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between dietary calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) intake with DMFT (Decayed Missing Filled Teeth) among Korean schoolchildren. Methods: Data of 1,529 schoolchildren were derived from the Sixth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, which was conducted from 2013 to 2015. Sociodemographic, oral health behavior, and dietary factors were collected as independent variables. The DMFT was used as a dependent variable. The chi-square test and logistic regression analysis were performed to identify the correlation between dental caries and the other variables. Results: Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that DMFT was correlated with sex, age, and daily P intake. Conclusions: Adequate intake of phosphorus may have a positive effect in preventing dental caries in schoolchildren. Therefore education on increasing phosphorus intake, including raised awareness through provision of dietary guidelines, will be needed.

Figures & Tables

Table 1. Sociodemographic, oral health behavior and dietary factors of the subjects