Behaviour support in dentistry: A Delphi study to agree terminology in behaviour management.

OBJECTIVES: Dental behaviour support (DBS) describes all specific techniques practiced to support patients in their experience of professional oral healthcare. DBS is roughly synonymous with behaviour management, which is an outdated concept. There is no agreed terminology to specify the techniques used to support patients who receive dental care. This lack of specificity may lead to imprecision in describing, understanding, teaching, evaluating and implementing behaviour support techniques in dentistry. Therefore, this e-Delphi study aimed to develop a list of agreed labels and descriptions of DBS techniques used in dentistry and sort them according to underlying principles of behaviour. METHODS: Following a registered protocol, a modified e-Delphi study was applied over two rounds with a final consensus meeting. The threshold of consensus was set a priori at 75%. Agreed techniques were then categorized by four coders, according to behavioural learning theory, to sort techniques according to their mechanism of action. RESULTS: The panel (n = 35) agreed on 42 DBS techniques from a total of 63 candidate labels and descriptions. Complete agreement was achieved regarding all labels and descriptions, while agreement was not achieved regarding distinctiveness for 17 techniques. In exploring underlying principles of learning, it became clear that multiple and differing principles may apply depending on the specific context and procedure in which the technique may be applied. DISCUSSION: Experts agreed on what each DBS technique is, what label to use, and their description, but were less likely to agree on what distinguishes one technique from another. All techniques were describable but not comprehensively categorizable according to principles of learning. While objective consistency was not attained, greater clarity and consistency now exists. The resulting list of agreed terminology marks a significant foundation for future efforts towards understanding DBS techniques in research, education and clinical care.

Exploring the potential of artificial intelligence in paediatric dentistry: A systematic review on deep learning algorithms for dental anomaly detection.

BACKGROUND: Artificial intelligence (AI) based on deep learning (DL) algorithms has shown promise in enhancing the speed and accuracy of dental anomaly detection in paediatric dentistry. AIM: This systematic review aimed to investigate the performance of AI systems in identifying dental anomalies in paediatric dentistry and compare it with human performance. DESIGN: A systematic search of Scopus, PubMed and Google Scholar was conducted from 2012 to 2022. Inclusion criteria were based on problem/patient/population, intervention/indicator, comparison and outcome scheme and specific keywords related to AI, DL, paediatric dentistry, dental anomalies, supernumerary and mesiodens. Six of 3918 initial pool articles were included, assessing nine DL sub-systems that used panoramic radiographs or cone-beam computed tomography. Article quality was assessed using QUADAS-2. RESULTS: Artificial intelligence systems based on DL algorithms showed promising potential in enhancing the speed and accuracy of dental anomaly detection, with an average of 85.38% accuracy and 86.61% sensitivity. Human performance, however, outperformed AI systems, achieving 95% accuracy and 99% sensitivity. Limitations included a limited number of articles and data heterogeneity. CONCLUSION: The potential of AI systems employing DL algorithms is highlighted in detecting dental anomalies in paediatric dentistry. Further research is needed to address limitations, explore additional anomalies and establish the broader applicability of AI in paediatric dentistry.

Special Characteristics of Alpha Generation Children Behavior in Dentistry: A Literature Review.

Technological developments and advances have influenced the emergence of a new generation, known as Generation Alpha. This generation comprises those born between 2010 and 2025. Born into a digital-savvy era, this generation has different characteristics from previous generations. This study aims to identify their special characteristics so that an approach can be taken, especially in managing children of the alpha generation in dentistry. A systematic search for articles, published between 2013 and 2023 analyzing the characteristics and behavior of the alpha generation and management behavior found in dentistry was conducted through PubMed, Google Scholar, SCOPUS, and EBSCO. The final analysis was carried out on 47 articles consisting of 10 articles discussing the characteristics of the alpha generation in general and 37 articles discussing the management of their behavior in dentistry. All the published articles found that an alpha child's characteristics are closely related to behavior management in dentistry. The ease with which alpha children adapt to technology is one of the strategies for managing the behavior of alpha children. However, apart from this, the alpha children tend to be unappreciative of the process, which can affect dental behavior management. Specific characteristics of the alpha generation, such as increased exposure to technology, digital media consumption habits, and lack of respect for the process, have important implications for communication and adaptation to patient behavior management in dentistry. Understanding these characteristics is crucial for designing an effective communication strategy and adjusting appropriate behavior management to maintain the quality of dental care for this generation in the dentistry environment.

Can a Mother's Parenting Style Predict Adolescent Oral Hygiene Behavior? A Self-Reported Cross-Sectional Study.

OBJECTIVE: Adolescent oral hygiene behavior plays a crucial role into adulthood and still requires attention from parents, especially mothers. Parenting done by the mother will directly affect the child's life, including the child's oral hygiene behavior. The aim of this study was to determine the role of the mother's parenting style in predicting adolescent oral hygiene behavior. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A quantitative study with a cross-sectional approach was used to examine the role of parenting style on their teenage child's oral hygiene behavior. The instruments used were (1) a parenting style measuring instrument to measure supportive and nonsupportive parenting styles of mothers (parent as social context questionnaire) and (2) a self-structured oral hygiene behavior measuring instrument based on the theory of planned behavior. The population of this study were students at SMP PGRI Depok and SMP Negeri 11 Depok, West Java, aged between 12 and 14 years. The sampling technique used total sampling on SMP PGRI students and multistage random sampling on students at SMP Negeri 11 Depok with a total sample of 230 students. Data analysis was done using multiple linear regression test. RESULTS: Statistical regression tests showed that nonsupportive parenting style did not predict adolescent oral hygiene behavior (p = 0.567), while supportive parenting style did predict adolescent oral hygiene behavior (p = 0.000). Supportive parenting style predicts 31.2% of adolescent oral hygiene behavior. CONCLUSION: Mother's supportive parenting style plays a role in predicting adolescent oral hygiene, and the mother's nonsupportive parenting style does not play a role in predicting adolescent oral hygiene behavior.

A Review on Maternal Parenting, Child's Growth Stunting, and Oral Health.

Stunting has gained global attention as one of the most critical problems in public health. As the first and dominant figure in a child's life, the mother is responsible for determining the proper parenting behaviors to apply to maintain the child's physical health. Stunting is often associated with early childhood caries (ECC) and molar incisor hypomineralization, which can be manifested into each other through various mechanisms. Therefore, it is crucial to explore how far maternal parenting behaviors affect stunting and oral health. This study aims to determine which maternal parenting behaviors can affect stunting and oral health. A systematic search was used through PubMed and Google Scholar to search for published articles between 2011 and 2021. The articles analyze maternal parenting behaviors with stunting and poor oral health. Final analysis was used on 21 articles containing 18 cross-sectional studies, 2 cohort studies, and 1 randomized controlled trial. The result implied that the high prevalence of stunting and ECC is the combined result of prolonged breastfeeding practices (7 articles), poor complementary feeding practice (6 articles), high consumption of sugar (5 articles), and poor oral hygiene practices (5 articles). Maternal parenting styles in the aspect of fulfilling nutrition and maintaining oral health affect the occurrence of stunting and ECC in children.

A Cross-sectional Study on the Effectiveness of Two Different Tooth-brushing Exercise Methods in Blind Childrendren.

OBJECTIVE: Blind children tend to have poor oral health. Oral health education is needed to reduce the prevalence of dental caries and periodontal diseases among blind children. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of two tooth brushing exercise methods toward blind children's knowledge, attitude, behavior, and oral hygiene. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The purposive sampling technique was used in this study on 80 blind children aged between 7 and 16. Children were divided into two groups of 40 children each. In group I, children received the tooth-brushing exercise through the Braille-verbal method, and group II received the tactile-verbal method. Their knowledge, behavior, and attitude were recorded by a questionnaire, and their oral hygiene was assessed during a personal oral examination. Data were analyzed using Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney non-parametric test. RESULTS: Differences in effectiveness toward knowledge, attitude, and oral hygiene were found between both methods with the following values: p-value = 0.04 (<0.05), 0.04 (<0.05), and 0.0002 (<0.05). No difference in effectiveness toward behavior was found: p-value 0.30 (>0.05). CONCLUSION: The two tooth-brushing methods could change knowledge, attitude, and oral hygiene in blind children. The tactile-verbal method was more effective than the Braille-verbal method in changing blind children's oral hygiene.

Eating behavior of adolescent girls in countries with a high prevalence of stunting under five: a systematic review.

Background: Adolescence is critical for physical and psychological growth, making healthy dietary behavior essential. Several countries face nutritional challenges due to a high prevalence of stunting in children under five, which can impact adolescent girls' eating behavior. This systematic review aims to provide evidence on the eating behavior of adolescent girls in such countries, offering insights for stunting prevention programs. Methods: We conducted a systematic review following PRISMA guidelines and registered it in PROSPERO. We employed a comprehensive search strategy across multiple databases. Study selection involved three stages: deduplication, title/abstract screening, and full-text review, with inter-reviewer agreement assessment. Results: The search identified 15 eligible studies from various countries, primarily utilizing cross-sectional designs. The studies focused on age ranges within adolescence and varied in sample size and assessment tools. The primary objective of these studies was to assess eating behavior, with outcomes related to dietary patterns, eating disorders, body image, and nutritional knowledge. The results revealed diverse eating behaviors among adolescent girls, including restrained eating, dieting for weight loss, craving-induced eating, and unhealthy dietary patterns. Many girls exhibited low dietary diversity, contributing to micronutrient deficiencies. Suggestions: To address these issues effectively, stunting prevention programs and policies should prioritize the following strategies: implementing comprehensive nutritional education programs to enhance adolescents' knowledge of healthy eating habits and dietary diversity, providing resources and support for positive body image development to reduce the pressure for unhealthy dieting, improving access to affordable, nutrient-rich foods in both urban and rural areas, raising awareness about eating disorders and emphasizing early identification and intervention, engaging parents, caregivers, and communities in promoting healthy eating behaviors, and maintaining rigorous research and monitoring to adapt strategies based on evolving trends in adolescent eating behaviors. Conclusion: Adolescent girls in countries with high stunting prevalence exhibit diverse eating behaviors that can impact their nutritional status and overall health. Addressing these behaviors is essential to prevent stunting and its long-term consequences, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive strategies and support for this vulnerable population. Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/#recordDetails, identifier CRD42023389909.

The bi-directional relationship between growth stunting and early childhood caries: a rapid review.

Objective: This review aims to determine the two-way relationship between stunting and ECC in developing countries worldwide. Methods: The procedure in this study was carried out using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis-Rapid Review protocol. Article searches were carried out using databases Cochrane and PubMed. In addition, searches were also carried out using backward and forward snowballing techniques to identify articles that were not detected through database searches. Results: Nine observational epidemiological articles were found in children aged six months to six years, published in 2015-2020. Five articles discussed the features of ECC in stunted children, and the other five discussed stunting in children with caries in their primary teeth. Conclusion: Several studies found associations between severe ECC and stunting, with ECC and stunting as both independent and dependent variables, suggesting a bi-directional relationship, also supported by literature on the physiological relationship between oral health and nutrition.

A descriptive study on oral hygiene practice and caries increment in children with growth stunting.

Introduction: Stunting is a condition of malnutrition in children from the womb to the early life stage that causes growth failure in the body and brain. Stunting influences the development and integrity of the oral cavity and increases the risk of developing diseases in the oral cavity, such as dental caries. The growth barriers in stunting children and parental knowledge can affect maintaining oral hygiene. This study aims to determine the description of oral hygiene practice and caries increment in children with growth stunting. Methods: This type of research is a quantitative descriptive with a Secondary Data Analysis approach in the form of examination results for the presence or absence of caries through the ICDAS index and the results of the oral hygiene practice questionnaire on 113 children with growth stunting in Sukajadi district, Bandung. Results: Most stunting children (60.2%) experienced increased caries rates classified as low, and 70.8% had poor oral hygiene practices. There were 50 children (44.3%) with poor oral hygiene practice with low caries increment, while 18 children (15.9%) had good oral hygiene practice with low caries increment. Conclusion: Oral hygiene practice is classified as poor, but caries increment is still relatively low in most stunting children in Sukajadi district, Bandung.

Exploring Preschoolers' Emotions in Pediatric Dentistry.

OBJECTIVE: Emotion is a feeling that someone can feel. Emotions are generally shown through behavior or facial expressions. Emotions are essential for dental treatment because there is a relation between the emotions felt by children and the success of the dental treatment that the dentist will give. This study aimed to describe variables of emotions about dental treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Descriptive analysis using a convenience nonrandom sampling technique was conducted on 58 preschool children aged 3 to 6 years old who came for dental treatment at the Bandung Dental Center in Bandung, Indonesia. The instrument used to ask children how they feel about dental care is a 7-item questionnaire derived from the children's fear survey scale-dental subscale. Meanwhile, the media used by children to respond was a card with facial expressions from the Facial Expression Emotion Scale. RESULTS: The results showed that only participants aged 4 responded with one type of emotion (happy), while the other age groups gave various emotional responses. Fear emotion began to appear in the age group of 5 and 6 years and only in girls, while emotions of anger also appeared in girls and only at the age of 5. CONCLUSION: In this study, the emotions that children choose about dental care at the Bandung Dental Center clinic are happy emotions. The emotions of fear and sadness were chosen more by girl participants, while none of the boy participants chose the emotion of fear. This sad and fearful response is associated with invasive dental treatment. Anger was chosen as a child's response dominantly because of the parents' invitation to the dentist.

Orthognathic Surgery as Class III Skeletal Treatment in a 31-Year-Old Female with Mandible Prognathism: A Case Report.

Mandible prognathism or malocclusion skeletal class III is facial deformities. These deformities can affect orofacial function, such as mastication, speech, and function of the temporomandibular joint. Besides the physical effects of these deformities, the psychosocial impact on the individual is often essential, and such deformities can affect the quality of life and self-confidence. Orthognathic surgery is designed to correct these deformities because these deformities could not have been corrected by only orthodontic treatment. Therefore, at Hasan Sadikin General Hospital, orthognathic surgery is the treatment choice for mandibular prognathism or malocclusion skeletal class III. In this case report, we present a 31-year-old female with mandibular prognathism, difficulty in closing her mouth and anterior open bite. Surgery was performed by Le Fort 1 osteotomy for advancing maxilla and bilateral sagittal split osteotomy for setback mandible. Two weeks after surgery, patient came back to the orthodontic department for occlusion treatment.

Potential Use of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Orthodontic Treatment: A Systematic Review of Animal Studies.

Understanding the fundamental principles of tooth movement could reduce the duration of treatment and achieve a stable outcome, resulting in patient satisfaction. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy was a modality in which a patient inhaled 100% O2 while subjected to high atmospheric pressure. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy facilitated the supply of oxygen to the human body's organs and tissues and served a variety of applications, including patient care and wound treatment. This review article aimed to describe animal studies of the potential effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in orthodontic therapy. It was conducted using a systematic literature review method, including searching PubMed and Google Scholar for publications relevant to the research topics. The search was filtered to include only research on orthodontic treatment and hyperbaric oxygen therapy and was published in any year. Articles that did not specify biological components of orthodontic tooth movement (OTM) were excluded. The Preferred Reporting Items identified the papers for the Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) strategy, which resulted in the selection of 11 publications. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy affected parameters of biomarkers representing the clinical, molecular, and cellular biology of bone formation and resorption in periodontal tissues in responding to orthodontic physical forces, including alkaline phosphatase, collagen synthesis, osteoblast, osteoclast, osteocyte, type I collagen, vascular endothelial growth factor, osteocalcin, fibroblast, matrix metalloproteinase-8, transforming growth factor-ß, partial pressure of oxygen, partial pressure of carbon dioxide, trabecular bone density, and tooth mobility. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy induced an inflammatory response to follow OTM events during active orthodontic therapy. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy might play a role in the tissue healing process during passive treatment. Nonetheless, additional research should be conducted to establish the efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in orthodontics.

Growth Stunting Prevention in Indonesia: Dentist Knowledge and Perception.

OBJECTIVE: Dentists in Indonesia as health workers have a role to play in improving the quality of life of others; thus, dentists' participation in growth stunting prevention is essential. It is also supported by the fact that growth stunting correlates with dental and oral health. Therefore, a dentist's knowledge and perception of growth stunting and its prevention affect the success of a dentist's role in the community.This study aimed to explore the knowledge and perceptions of growth stunting and its prevention in dentists in Bandung. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A descriptive study was conducted on general dental practitioners and dental specialists in Bandung. The number of participants gathered were 76 general dental practitioners and 30 dental specialists, which, if added all together, are 106 dentists as the study participants. Data was collected using a knowledge-based questionnaire containing three dimensions: knowledge about nutrition, growth and development, and health behavior. In addition, a perception questionnaire contains statements categorized into four dimensions: awareness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance. The questionnaire was distributed online using Google Form. A descriptive analysis was then done on the collected data. RESULTS: Analysis of the findings showed that 80.19% of the participants have good knowledge of growth stunting and its prevention, 16.98% moderate, and 2.83% have poor knowledge. As for the perception category, the number of participants with positive perceptions is 53.77%, while the number of participants with negative perceptions is 46.23%. CONCLUSION: Most dentists in the city of Bandung have an excellent knowledge of growth stunting and its prevention and positively perceive growth stunting and its prevention.

Eating Behavior and Caries Experience in Children with Growth Stunting.

OBJECTIVE: Stunting is the impaired growth and development children experience from chronic malnutrition and repeated infection that cause long-term damage. Malnutrition for a long time will affect the shape and composition of bones and teeth, making children more vulnerable to dental health problems. Preschoolers with sufficiently active consumption can choose the food they like delightful foods so that it can increase the risk of caries. Based on data from the Bandung City Health Office in 2019, 161 toddlers (25.43%) in Sukawarna Village experienced stunting. This study analyzed the relationship between eating behavior and caries experience in stunting children in Sukawarna Village, Sukajadi District. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study uses a quantitative descriptive research method with a secondary data analysis approach from the documentation of the Universitas Padjadjaran Academic Leadership Grant data with the title "Aspects of jaw growth-development and family approach in early detection and prevention of stunting." Sampling used purposive sampling specifically for preschool children with a sample size of 80 respondents. The data obtained will be processed and then analyzed using the Spearman Rank correlation statistical test. RESULTS: Sixty-three percent of respondents have poor eating behavior, and the majority (80.35%) have cavities due to caries (decay). Spearman Rank correlation coefficient is -0.145 and significance is 0.0983. CONCLUSION: Overall eating behavior is related to the caries experience in stunting children. Consumption of cariogenic foods influences the caries experience.

Predicting a Child's Oral Health Status from the Mother's Oral Health Behavior.

OBJECTIVE: A mother has a decisive role in maintaining children's oral health, especially before the child is of preschool age. The behavior of mother becomes a source of learning for children who can determine the child's condition, including health behavior. This study analyzes the relationship between maternal oral health behavior and children's oral health status. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The research methodology used is a quantitative observational study with a cross-sectional approach to determine the oral health behavior of mothers and children's oral health status. The population of this study were mothers with their first child aged between 3 and 5 years in Tanjungsari, Tanjungsari, Sumedang, West Java, Indonesia. The sampling method and technique used nonrandom and consecutive sampling from six health center units which yielded 46 mothers. Correlation analysis was done with chi-squared validity statistical test and Spearman rank correlation. RESULTS: The score for the mother's oral health behavior was 75.54, while the score for the child's oral health status was 54.46. The results of the Spearman rank correlation test showed that the maternal oral health behavior score's correlation coefficient (r) was 0.198 (p-value: 0.188). The calculation of the Spearman rank correlation shows that the mother's oral health behavior affects the child's oral health status in the food and beverage consumption selection. CONCLUSION: Based on all indicators of maternal oral health behavior studied, the behavior in maternal food and beverage consumption has a relationship with the child's oral health status, namely the better the behavior in the mother's food and drink consumption, the better the child's oral health status. Other indicators of oral health behavior did not show any relationship with the oral health status of children.

Oral Health Attitude with the Socioeconomic Conditions of Mothers with Growth Stunting Children.

OBJECTIVE: This study analyzes the relationship between socioeconomic conditions and the attitude of mothers in maintaining the dental health of stunting children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The research method uses correlational test with Spearman rank. The sampling technique used purposive sampling based on the inclusion criteria of mothers who had stunted children in Lengkong District, Bandung City. RESULT: Data analysis by the Spearman Rank resulted p-value of 0.019 (p < 0.05) which leads to a positive relationship between socioeconomic conditions an mother's attitude in maintaining the dental health of stunting children. CONCLUSION: From the results of the study, it can be concluded that there is a relationship between socioeconomic conditions and the attitude of mothers in maintaining the dental health of stunting children in Lengkong District, Bandung City.

A cross-sectional study on dietary assessment, oral hygiene behavior, and oral health status of adolescent girls.

Adolescents are a population group that is vulnerable to nutritional problems other than toddlers, especially young women. Special attention to the dietary issues of adolescent girls needs to be obtained along with the increase in the adolescent population in Indonesia because this affects the growth and development of the body and will impact adult nutrition problems. The purpose of the study was to analyze the relationship between diet assessment and oral health status of adolescent girls, the relationship between oral hygiene behavior and oral health status of adolescent girls, and the simultaneous relationship between dietary assessment and oral hygiene behavior with the oral health status of adolescent girls. Analytical research using the survey method was conducted on 96 young women in two junior high schools in Bandung. Assessment of diet seen from eating behavior and anthropometric examination. Eating behavior using the Adolescent Food Habit Checklist Index questionnaire and anthropometric investigations were carried out by looking at body height, body weight, and Mid Upper Arm Circumference using the standards from the Indonesian Minister of Health Regulation 2020. Oral hygiene behavior using the Oral Hygiene Behavior Index questionnaire. Oral health status using the Dental Health Status Assessment. The results were statistically analyzed with Spearman's Rank Correlation, and Multiple Linear Regression tests showed no significant relationship between dietary assessment and oral health status (eating behavior with a p-value = 0.429 and anthropometric examination with a p-value = 0.262). A significant association between oral hygiene behavior and oral health status, with a p-value of 0.003, while there is no simultaneous relationship between diet assessment and oral hygiene behavior with oral health status, with multiple r 2 = 13.2%.

Neonatal stunting and early childhood caries: A mini-review.

The nutritional status of pregnant women greatly determines their newborn outcome. Deficiencies of several micronutrients are associated with stunting in early childhood, affecting health into adulthood. However, apart from the systemic disease that has been a concern so far, fetal undernutrition can also be associated with dental caries in a child's early life, especially since the primary teeth begin to form during the mother's gestation period. The important thing to underline regarding the intrauterine formation of primary teeth is especially in terms of enamel formation. One of the causes of developmental enamel defects that will contribute to the emergence of early childhood caries is the malnutrition of the pregnant mother. This mini-review aims to understand the linkage mechanism behind neonatal stunting to early childhood caries. This concept is expected to generate further research to help prevent both growth stunting and early childhood caries. In addition, with some evidence-based research, the importance of the first dental visit can be further promoted.

Does Growth Stunting Correlate with Oral Health in Children?: A Systematic Review.

Growth stunting is when children tend to be shorter than their peers through the World Health Organization child growth standard measurement. The condition may affect the development of the brain and other parts of the body, including the oral cavity, which manifests in oral hygiene and overall oral health. This systematic approach literature study aimed to evaluate the correlation between growth stunting and oral health in children. This study was conducted by using a literature review method with a systematic approach by searching for articles related to research topics on PubMed and Google Scholar. The search was adjusted to the inclusion category, which is research that discusses malnutrition and oral health published between 2010 and 2020-research conducted on boys and girls-from birth to 18 years. The exclusion categories used were articles that did not discuss growth stunting and oral health, and grey literature was excluded. The selection of articles was carried out by using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) approach and resulted in 10 selected articles with details as follows: the correlation between growth stunting and oral health in three articles. A high plaque index in growth stunting children was found in two articles, and a decrease in saliva composition in growth stunting children was also found in two articles. Four articles showed a relationship between growth stunting and salivary flow rate. Lastly, one article showed the relationship between growth stunting and the incidence of dental caries. Despite the limitation of the review, the correlation between growth stunting and overall oral health in children can be seen through the oral hygiene index as moderate to low, high plaque index, decreased salivary flow rate, salivary composition, and dental caries in children with growth stunting.

A self-reported cross-sectional study on the oral function and the quality of life in children with stunted growth.

Background: Failure to catch up with growth in toddlerhood will stunt elementary school children, which continues to cognitive decline and oral motor coordination. Verbal motor skills play an essential role in the oral function of the stomatognathic system, which includes mastication, swallowing, and speech. Therefore, early attention to oral function disorders of the stomatognathic system can avoid complications in children's nutritional status and quality of life. Objective: The objective of this study was to analyze the correlation of oral function of the stomatognathic system with Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) in stunting children. Methods: This cross-sectional study correlates with 58 children aged 7-12 years with a history of stunting in toddlerhood from the Pasir Jambu District, Bandung Regency. The oral function of the stomatognathic system was evaluated by Adapted Orofacial Myofunctional Assessment Protocol and OHRQoL with Child Oral Health Impact Profile Short Form (COHIP-SF 19). Results: The results were statistically analyzed using Spearman's rank correlation and Kendall's coefficient of concordance correlation tests. The results showed that the research subjects had a significant relationship in each variable and the three variables of the oral function of the stomatognathic system (chewing, swallowing, and speech) with OHRQoL with a p-value <0.05. The study concluded that the oral function of the stomatognathic system (chewing, swallowing, and speech) is related to OHRQoL in children with stunted growth.