To assess the level of vitamin B₁₂ and correlate it with dental caries [decayed, missing, and filled permanent teeth (DMFT) score] and gingival diseases [plaque index (PI) and gingival index (GI)].

Healthy children according to the inclusion criteria were selected by the computerized randomization method from a school to assess the vitamin B₁₂ levels using Centaur/Versace machine.

Blood samples were collected to assess vitamin B₁₂ levels using automated analyzer. Oral examination was done by a single calibrated dentist. A thorough oral examination was carried out and the DMFT, PI, and GI scores of all the children were recorded and assessed. Data were analyzed using Karl Pearson's correlation test.

Vitamin B₁₂ levels were deficient in 64% of the children. In boys, vitamin B₁₂ deficiency was found in about 76.2%, whereas, in girls it was 57.1%, which was not statistically significant. The vitamin B₁₂ deficient children showed a significantly high DMFT scores than the children with normal vitamin B₁₂ levels. The Pearson's correlation was –0.614 for DMFT, PI value –0.663, and GI value of –0.477. The negative correlation stated that there was a reverse relation between these indices and vitamin B₁₂.

In children with systemic vitamin B₁₂ deficiency, there is increased dental caries prevalence and associated gingival problems.

Hugar SM, Dhariwal NS, Majeed A, Badakar C, Gokhale N, Mistry L. Assessment of Vitamin B₁₂ and Its Correlation with Dental Caries and Gingival Diseases in 10- to 14-year-old Children: A Cross-sectional Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2017;10(2):142-146.