Nurlindah Hamrun, Mughny Rathi
Economic status has an impact in life aspect, including nutrition status, caries, and
oral hygiene. The aim of this study was to compare the nutritional status, dental
caries and oral hygiene of Islam Athirah elementary school representing high
economic status and Bangkala III elementary school, representing low economic
status. Samples were 120 children of aged 10-11 years. Study design was cross
sectional study. The criteria of school chosen, was based on annual tuition fee,
contribution fee, entrance school fee, and the presence of school operational aid
(Dana BOS). Nutrition status was accessed using Z-score, dental caries using def-t
index, and oral hygiene status accessed using OHI-S (DI-S and CI-S). Data of eating
habitual, type of food, education and occupation of parents, frequency and method of
tooth brushing were obtained from questionnaire. The results of this study showed no
significant difference of nutritional status and oral hygiene status for both schools
(Mann-Whitney, p = 0.281 and 0.936), whereas significant difference was found for
dental caries status between Islam Athirah and and Bangkala III elementary school
(p=0.01).