Evaluation of the Effects of Nutritional Habits and Physical Activities on Dmft and Dmfs Status of Children Aged 9-14 Years in Konya Province

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of nutritional habits and physical activities on DMFT and DMFS status of children aged 9-14. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted between 2023 and 2024 among 357 healthy children aged 9-14 years attending Bilgehane Educational Institutions affiliated with Konya Metropolitan Municipality. Data obtained from questionnaires administered to the children included in the study and DMFT and DMFS indices determined as a result of the children's oral examinations were examined. Data analysis was performed using IBM SPSS 26 software, with a significance level of p<0.05. Results: 357 healthy children participated in the study. According to the results obtained, the average DMFT index score of the children included in the study was determined to be 3.81 and the average DMFS index score was determined to be 6.09. The average DMFT and DMFS index scores of children whose toothpaste contained fluoride were lower than those of children whose toothpaste did not contain fluoride, and when the relationship between DMFT and DMFS index scores and nutritional habits was evaluated, a relationship was found only between the type of meal skipped. No relationship was found between physical activity and DMFT and DMFS index scores. Conclusion: This study showed that the DMFT and DMFS index scores of the children participating in the study were higher than the DMFT and DMFS index scores determined by the World Health Organization within the scope of 2021 targets. It was determined that there was a negative relationship between the use of fluoride toothpaste and DMFT and DMFS index scores. It is thought that the use of fluoride toothpaste should be increased and that individuals' awareness-raising activities on this issue should be increased.