THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DENTAL AND ORAL PROBLEMS AND NUTRITIONAL STATUS IN SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN AT THE DENTAL POLYCLINIC OF SUMBER KASIH HOSPITAL

Untreated dental and oral problems can directly impact food intake. The nutritional status
of school-age children is an important indicator in assessing health and growth. This study
aims to analyze the relationship between dental and oral problems and nutritional status
school-age children in the Dental Polyclinic of Sumber Kasih Hospital.
This research was quantitative analytical survey method with cross-sectional approach.
The research sample was 45 pediatric patients with dental and oral disorders. The research
instrument was a questionnaire. The inclusion criteria were patients experiencing dental
and oral problems and aged 6-12 years, patients undergoing outpatient treatment at the
Dental Polyclinic of Sumber Kasih Hospital Cirebon and patients who were willing to be
respondents and willing to fill out the informed consent form while the exclusion criteria
were patients who were not present during the data collection time, and patients who
withdrew or withdrew their consent (informed consent) before or during the research
process. Data analysis was performed using the chi-square test to determine the
relationship between variables.
The results showed that of the 45 respondents, the majority (28 respondents) experienced
pulp necrosis, with almost all respondents having poor nutritional status (33 respondents)
(73.3%). The statistical test results showed a p-value of 0.023 (<0.05), indicating a
significant relationship between the type of dental and oral problems and children's
nutritional status.
The conclusion of this study is that there is a significant relationship between the type of
dental and oral problems and children's nutritional status.
Keywords: Dental and Oral Problems, Nutritional Status, School-Age Children
Bibliography: 22 (2018-2025)