%0 Journal Article %T Oral Hygiene Practices and Caries Increment among Stunted Children: A Cross-Sectional Study in Sukajadi District, Bandung, Indonesia %A Pedro J. Santos %A Hana T. Desta %A Min Zhang %J Journal of Current Research in Oral Surgery %@ 3062-3480 %D 2023 %V 3 %N 1 %R 10.51847/O5DWqYRirs %P 127-134 %X Stunting is a form of long-term malnutrition occurring from pregnancy through early childhood that results in impaired physical and cognitive growth. This condition influences the formation and health of oral tissues and raises susceptibility to oral problems, including dental caries. Growth limitations in children with stunting, combined with parents’ understanding of oral care, may interfere with maintaining adequate oral hygiene. This study was conducted to describe oral hygiene behaviours and caries progression among children experiencing growth stunting. This research used a quantitative descriptive design with a Secondary Data Analysis method, utilising dental examination findings based on the ICDAS criteria to determine the presence of caries, along with questionnaire data on oral hygiene habits. A total of 113 stunted children living in Sukajadi district, Bandung, were included. A majority of the stunted participants (60.2%) showed a low level of caries increment, and 70.8% demonstrated inadequate oral hygiene practices. Among them, 50 children (44.3%) reported poor oral hygiene yet still exhibited a low caries increase, while 18 children (15.9%) maintained good hygiene practices and also presented low caries increment. Although most stunted children in Sukajadi district, Bandung displayed poor oral hygiene routines, their caries increment levels generally remained low. %U https://tsdp.net/article/oral-hygiene-practices-and-caries-increment-among-stunted-children-a-cross-sectional-study-in-sukaj-m0zl96ly0kfxsjb