Assessment of Oral Health Status and its Relationship with Daily Performances, Body Mass Index and Eating Habits in Orphanage Facility of District Peshawar

Introduction: Quality of life and welfare also depend on dental health. Excellent oral health goes beyond pain-free mouth and face. The rationale for this study is to explore the critical link between oral health and overall well-being in orphaned children, a population often deprived of adequate healthcare. Poor oral health can negatively impact daily performance by causing pain, discomfort, and decreased focus, while also affecting Body mass Index (BMI) and eating habits through difficulties in eating and nutrient intake. Aims & Objectives: To assess the relationship between oral health status and its impact on daily performance, BMI, and eating habits among children residing in orphanages of District Peshawar. Place and Duration of Study: It was conducted at the Orphanage of Mercy Educational Complex in Peshawar after obtaining Ethical and Administrative approval during July to December 2023. Material & Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess oral health and its effects on everyday activities on 209 participants of 6th-10th grade Peshawar Orphanage Children using a pre-validated questionnaire based on Thailand's Children oral Effects on Daily Performances (COIDP) instrument assessed oral health. The BMI was calculated, and a height was measured through stadiometer, whereas the decaying, missing, filled teeth (DMFT) index was calculated by adding decaying, missing, and filled teeth. Results: Middle class students made up 71.8 percent and secondary school boys 28.2%. Toothaches affected 82.3% of boys. Oral hygiene was challenging for 79.4% of Child-Oral Impact on Daily Performance (c-oidp) questionnaire respondents, and amongst them majority (54.1%) were secondary school students. 35.41% had low DMFT/dmft scores, indicating good oral health. Conclusion: The study concludes how age and level of schooling affect perceptions related to oral health. DMFT/dmft values were lower generally in the caries index