Background and Aim: Considering the effect of middle ear infection and dental caries on the children’s quality of life and ability to grow and thrive, high prevalence rates of these diseases in children, we conducted this study to evaluate the association between dental caries status and middle ear infection in preschool children in Rasht City.
Materials and Methods: This study included 310 children between 3–6 years of age. Dental caries of the children were evaluated based on WHO decayed and filled primary teeth index. The children were divided into two groups; with and without caries and referred to Amiralmomenin Hospital in Rasht for clinical examination and audiometry test. Descriptive and analytical statistical tests were used for analysis at the significance level of 0.05.
Results: 170 girls and 140 boys with mean age of 4.58±1.02 years participated in this study. Thirty children (9.67%) had middle ear effusion. Mean value of dft index was 2.07±2.35. Probability of middle ear infection with effusion in the children with dental caries was139% more (95%CI= 1.04-5.50, OR = 2.39) than that in the children without dental caries which was statistically significant (P = 0.04). Other variables such as gender, age, education levels of fathers and mothers did not show any significant relationship with middle ear effusion (P >0.05).
Conclusion: Middle ear effusion was significantly higher in the children with dental caries than in children without dental caries. Further prospective studies are recommended for evaluation of the effects of improved oral hygine on middle ear infection.