Correlation between dietary patterns and dental caries status in children aged 12–15 years in Amanatul ummah boarding school Mojokerto

Background: Dental caries is one of the most prevalent dental health problems in Indonesia, especially among adolescents. One of the main modifiable factors in caries prevention is diet, particularly the consumption of cariogenic foods and beverages that can lower oral pH and trigger tooth demineralization. The boarding school environment, with its structured access to food but still allowing independent snack consumption, makes the nutritional patterns of students an important factor to investigate in relation to their dental health. 
Purpose: This study aims to determine the relationship between dietary patterns and dental caries status in 12-15-year-old students at the Amanatul Ummah Islamic Boarding School based on the DMF-T index. 
Methods: This study is an analytical observational study with a cross-sectional design. The sample consisted of 100 students selected using stratified random sampling. Dietary patterns were assessed using the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), while caries status was assessed clinically using the DMF-T index according to WHO standards. Data analysis used Spearman's correlation test to examine the relationship between variables. 
Results: Most respondents (52%) had poor dietary patterns with questionnaire scores less than 60. The average DMF-T score was 3.72, which is classified as moderate, with the decay (D) component dominating at 89.78%. Statistical tests showed a weak but significant negative relationship between dietary patterns and dental caries status (r = -0.218; p = 0.030), meaning that the better the dietary pattern, the lower the tendency for caries. 
Conclusion: There is a significant negative relationship between dietary patterns and dental caries status in 12-15-year-old Islamic boarding school students. Poor eating habits contribute to an increased risk of caries, although other factors such as dental hygiene and access to care also affect the dental health of these students. Interventions involving nutrition education, regulating the types of snacks available in the boarding school canteen, and improving dental health services are urgently needed to reduce caries rates in this age group.