The Relationship between Cariogenic Foods and Dental Hygiene Status with Caries in Elementary School Children at Administrative Post of Dom Aleixo Dili Timor-Leste (2026).

Abstract

Introduction: Dental caries is one of the most common diseases found at all social levels of the Timor-Leste population, either gender  male, female, the elderly, adults, adolescents and children. Consuming foods that are cariogenic has an important role in the formation of caries in children aged 11-12 years. Cariogenic foods are soft foods, easily attached to the teeth so that they quickly damage the teeth.

Objective: To determine the relationship between cariogenic foods and dental hygiene status with the incidence of caries in elementary school children in Administrative Post Dom Aleixo Comoro Dili.

Methods: An analytic observational study with a cross-sectional design with a 300 sample size use consecutive sampling. Data collection using questionnaires check list and oral examination sheets. research data were analyzed by chi-square and regression logistic analysis

Results: The results showed that as many as 243 (81%) children had dental caries, while 57 (19%) children did not, with two influential variables, there are milk with a p value = 0.047, an OR value of 3.017 and candy with a p value = 0.008. , the OR value is 4,315. Cariogenic food and dental hygiene status associated with the incidence of caries.

Conclusion: There is a relationship between cariogenic foods (milk dan candy or sweets) have significant relation with incidence of caries in elementary school children in Administrative Post Dom Aleixo Comoro Dili.  In addition, the dental hygine also play an important role related to the incidence of caries in elementary school children cited by (Tilman CB., et al, 2026).