Dietary Habits and Their Impact on Oral Health Among Government School Children in Hyderabad: A Cross-Sectional Study
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Background: Dietary habits and oral hygiene practices are important determinants of oral health among school-aged children. Frequent intake of sugary foods, inadequate brushing practices, and limited preventive dental care may contribute to dental caries and other oral health problems, particularly in government school settings where access to preventive services may be limited. Objective: To assess dietary habits among government school children in Hyderabad, Sindh, Pakistan, and determine their association with oral health complaints and clinical oral findings. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted among 387 students aged 5–18 years at Government Naval Rai Hiranand High School, Hyderabad. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire covering demographic characteristics, dietary practices, oral hygiene behaviors, dental history, and oral habits, followed by clinical oral examination. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and chi-square tests were used to assess associations between selected behavioral and dietary factors and oral health outcomes. Results: The mean age was 12.76 ± 3.46 years, and 242 participants (62.5%) were male. Most children brushed their teeth (89.7%), but only 38.3% of brushers reported twice-daily brushing, and 76.2% had never visited a dentist. Daily sweet intake was reported by 35.7%, while 40.6% always consumed sugary snacks between meals. Decayed teeth were observed in 49.9% of participants. Brushing habit was significantly associated with decayed teeth (χ² = 8.156, p = 0.004), as was sweet intake frequency (χ² = 6.460, p = 0.040). Gender was significantly associated with oral complaints (χ² = 4.619, p = 0.032). Conclusion: Government school children in Hyderabad showed a high burden of dental caries and limited preventive dental care utilization. Sweet intake and brushing behavior were significantly associated with decayed teeth, supporting the need for school-based oral health education, dietary counseling, dental screening, and preventive care programs
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