A Scoping Review of the Literatures on the Relationship Between Childhood Stunting and Dental Caries

Abstract

Stunting, as an indicator of chronic malnutrition, can affect a variety of body systems, including the development of various dental diseases and disorders. The objective of this study is to map the scope of existing research on the relationship between stunting and dental caries. This scoping review utilized two database search engines (Scopus and PubMed) using the keywords "stunting" and "caries". The article selection process was performed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) protocol. Following an assessment of titles, abstracts, and full-texts, 23 articles were identified as relevant to the study objective and were included in this review. The majority of the studies (69.6%) used a cross-sectional design and examined more than 500 samples (47.8%). Most studies were conducted on the Asian and African continents, examined caries in primary teeth, and used WHO growth standards to define stunting. The study findings on the correlation between stunting and caries in primary and permanent teeth revealed varying results depending on study design, sample size, and settings. All of the studies included in this review were performed in lower-middle income countries (LMICs). The publication regarding the correlation between childhood stunting and caries in permanent teeth is still lacking, mainly because the utilization of cross-sectional research design. Other risk factors, as well as the use of different research methods, could explain the variations in the findings of the studies included in this review.