The Relationship between Alternative Healthy Eating Index and Dental Health among Health Care Workers: A Cohort-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Dietary patterns affect different aspects of overall health, especially oral and dental status. This study aimed to explore the relationship between the Decayed, Missing, Filled Teeth (DMFT) index and nutritional status using the Alternative Healthy Eating Index-۲۰۱۰ (AHEI-۲۰۱۰) among health care workers.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on a population participating in the first phase of the Shiraz University of Medical Sciences Employees’ Health Cohort Study (SUMS-EHCS) from August ۲۰۱۸ to the end of March ۲۰۱۹. Demographic data, occupational status, DMFT index, AHEI index using the semi-quantitative food frequencyquestionnaire (FFQ) were determined. The relationship between DMFT and AHEI-۲۰۱۰ was assessed too.Results: Totally, ۱,۱۱۶ SUMS-EHCS participants (mean age of ۴۱.۵۵±۶.۸۱ years, ۵۲.۹% female) were enrolled. The mean DMFT and AHEI-۲۰۱۰ were ۱۰.۴۶±۵.۴۵ and ۶۵.۲۳±۱۳.۰۵, respectively. A significant inverse linear relationship between DMFT and AHEI-۲۰۱۰ was observed (Spearman’s rho: -۰.۰۶۰; p=۰.۰۴). In addition, the multiple linear regression showed that DMFT index to be significantly decreased when AHEI-۲۰۱۰ increased [coefficient: -۰.۰۴۸ (۹۵% confidence interval: -۰.۰۸۸, -۰.۰۰۸); p=۰.۰۱]. Moreover, according to multiple quantile regression, the significant inverse relationship between AHEI-۲۰۱۰ and DMFT could be generalized to the ۵۰th quantile of DMFT, in which with every ۱۰-unit increase in AHEI-۲۰۱۰ resulted in a decrease in DMFT by ۰.۴۱ teeth (p=۰.۰۰۶).Conclusion: Greater adherence to AHEI-۲۰۱۰ may improve oral health. Moreover, lower age and sufficient educational level was related to a higher DMFT score.

Keywords:

dental caries , Oral health , DMFT , Diet , AHEI