Effect of Full Mouth Oral Rehabilitation on Bite Force and Body Mass Index in Patients with Early Childhood Caries: A Study Protocol

Introduction: Early Childhood Caries (ECC) is a common condition affecting children, including chewing, aesthetics, the development of permanent teeth and phonetics. Full-mouth rehabilitation is crucial for addressing both immediate dental consequences and long-term oral health. Rehabilitating bite force can help detect stomatognathic system diseases and in understanding mandibular movements. Untreated dental caries can lead to malnutrition, linear growth failure and a negative Body Mass Index (BMI). Need of the Study: Bite force assessment in the context of full-mouth rehabilitation of ECC will help measure functionality, monitor stability, finding issues early, ensuring treatment effectiveness and recommend any necessary adjustments for the child’s best dental health, to improve post-treatment quality of life. Aim: The study aims to evaluate the effects of comprehensive oral rehabilitation on ECC patients by measuring bite forces and assessing changes in BMI in a paediatric population with primary dentition. Materials and Methods: An experimental study will be conducted in the Department of Paediatric and Preventive Dentistry at Sharad Pawar Dental College and Hospital, Maharashtra, India, from August 2024 to December 2025. The Maximum Bite Force (MBF) in young children aged 4-5 years will be recorded at the central incisors and the right and left molar regions using a Portable Bite Force Measurement Device (BYTE). Anthropometric measurements of height and weight will be taken using scales, a portable stadiometer and a calibrated electronic device. The child’s BMI will be derived through weight and height calculations using an established equation. Participants will undergo bite force measurements and BMI evaluations both pre- and post-full mouth rehabilitation (which includes patient education along with preventive treatments like fluoride application and restorative procedures such as fillings, crowns and extractions). Anthropometric measurements will be taken post-treatment and results will be compared before and after the treatment. Statistical analysis will be done using the paired t-test and Pearson’s correlation test. Results will be considered statistically significant when the p-value is <0.05.