Prevalence of Dental Caries in a group of Egyptian children and its relation to TV and other screens time and sugar consumption (Observational cross-sectional study)

Dental caries, are considered by the World Health Organization as a major public health problem globally, and the most widespread non-communicable disease.

Similar with other conditions that are described as non-communicable diseases (NCDs), dental caries develops as the result of a combination of genetic, physiological, environmental and behavioral factors.

The commonly accepted risk factors for dental caries include dietary habits (e.g., sugary snacks), poor oral hygiene, microbiological factors, and low socioeconomic status.

Watching TV during mealtime has a negative impact on children's dietary quality as it is associated with higher consumption of ultraprocessed foods .

It was found that having the TV on at mealtimes reduces diet quality with more high-fat, high-sugar foods and fewer fruits and vegetables and increased consumption of sugar sweetened beverages.

Overconsumption of sugar has been associated with increased risk of excessive weight gain, dental decay, poor diet quality and nutritional inadequacy in children and adolescents younger than 19 years .

Inclusion Criteria:

• 1. A child with mixed dentition aged from 6-8 years old 2. Positive subject acceptance for participation in the study 3. Access to all types of screens 4. Both gender

Exclusion Criteria:

• 1. A child with a dental emergency 2. Child with a psychological problem 3. Child with chronic illness

male and female healthy children aged from 6 - 8 years who have access to different types of screens and willing to participate

calculating the prevalence of dental caries among Egyptian children using DMF and def, and if there is a relation to screen time and sugar consumption using questionnaires