Universal Journal of Public Health Vol. 13(3), pp. 542 - 550
DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2025.130302
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Estimation of Dental Caries Experience Using Multiple Linear Regression in Stunted Children

Mira Sri Gumilar ^1,*, Suhartono ¹, Andre Wilia Putra ^2
1 Department of Dental Health, Jambi Health Polytechnic, Jambi Province, 36128, Indonesia
² Regional General Hospital of Jambi Province Raden Mattaher, Jambi Province, 36361, Indonesia

ABSTRACT

Malnutrition causes half of all deaths in children under the age of five. One of the most common malnutrition in children is stunting. It can lead to impairments in children's growth and development, including disruptions in oral health. Muaro Jambi Regency is one of the districts within Jambi Province with a stunting prevalence of 18.6 % in 2024. Many studies have demonstrated several risk factors for the development of dental caries including parental income, oral hygiene practices such as tooth brushing habits, consumption of sugary foods, intake of sweetened beverages, access to healthcare facilities, and formula milk feeding. This study aims to identify the association of risk factors for dental caries in children with stunting and to examine how these associated factors can predict the likelihood of dental caries in children with stunting. This research study was a quantitative analytical observational with a cross-sectional design study. The study was conducted in Muaro Jambi Regency from May 2024 to August 2024. The sample of this study was 65 stunted children. Dependent variables, def-t, were measured through a clinical examination of the oral region, while the independent variable was obtained from completing survey questionnaires. The research result in the last model of multiple linear regression analysis showed several variables were associated with the experience of dental caries index: the child's age, distance to healthcare facilities, frequency of consuming rich sugar foods, and duration of formula milk feeding. This research can support the government of Muaro Jambi Regency in reducing the risk of stunting comprehensively, including in dental and oral health aspects. Knowing the prediction of the caries experience index in stunted children will be the basis for carrying out dental and oral health promotion and education programs.

KEYWORDS
def-t, Dental Caries, Stunted Children

Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Mira Sri Gumilar , Suhartono , Andre Wilia Putra , "Estimation of Dental Caries Experience Using Multiple Linear Regression in Stunted Children," Universal Journal of Public Health, Vol. 13, No. 3, pp. 542 - 550, 2025. DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2025.130302.

(b). APA Format:
Mira Sri Gumilar , Suhartono , Andre Wilia Putra (2025). Estimation of Dental Caries Experience Using Multiple Linear Regression in Stunted Children. Universal Journal of Public Health, 13(3), 542 - 550. DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2025.130302.