57 - Dental Health and School Lunch: Investigating the Link to Caries

Purpose: To examine an association between school lunch consumption and dental caries experience in US pediatric population.

Methods: Data obtained from NHANES 2013-2018 were analyzed. The study-sample included 7,163 individuals representing ≈54.77 million 4 to 19-years old school-going children and adolescents in the United States. The school lunch consumption was the independent variable, which was measured by its weekly frequency. The outcome of interest was dental caries experience, determined by dental examination, including ≥1 decayed, restored, and/or missing teeth. Log-binomial regression analysis was conducted to determine the association between school lunch consumption and dental caries experience.

Results: The highest prevalence of dental caries experience was observed amongst children always consuming school-provided lunches (55%), followed by occasional consumption (46%), and the least amongst those who never consumed (43%)
(P-value < .0001). After controlling for demographic factors, insurance coverage, and oral health status including: last dental visit, systemic fluoride intake, and oral hygiene practices, in reference to those whom always consumed school lunch, the prevalence ratio was 0.82 (95% CI: 0.72 - 0.93) for those whom never did, and 0.89 (95% CI: 0.80 - 0.99) for those whom sometimes consumed school lunch.

Conclusion: Children and adolescents who never or sometimes consumed school lunch were less likely to experience dental caries compared to those who consumed daily. The study underscores the importance of addressing the cariogenic potential of school meals for oral health promotion and well-being of children and adolescents in the United States.

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