ASSOCIATION BETWEEN SALIVARY VITAMIN D3 LEVELS AND DENTAL CARIES IN CHILDREN: A CASE-CONTROL STUDY

Background:Dental caries remains a significant global oral health concern, particularly among children. Vitamin D3
plays a crucial role in tooth mineralization and immune function, and its deficiency has been associated with increased caries risk. Traditional assessment of Vitamin D3 involves serum measurements, but saliva has recently emerged as a promising non-invasive alternative, especially in pediatric populations.
Aim:This study aimed to assess salivary Vitamin D3 levels in children with dental caries compared to healthy
individuals.
Methods:A total of 40 children aged 10–15 years were divided into two groups: 20 children with dental caries (ICDAS
II code 5) and 20 healthy controls (ICDAS II code 0). Unstimulated saliva samples were collected between 8–9 a.m.,
centrifuged, and stored at 4°C. Levels of 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol were quantified using an enzyme-linked
immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Statistical analysis was performed using a paired t-test.
Results:The mean salivary Vitamin D3 level in the caries group was 30.87 ng/dL, significantly lower than the 40.125
ng/dL observed in healthy controls (p = 0.010). This suggests a strong association between Vitamin D3 deficiency
and dental caries occurrence.
Conclusion:Children with dental caries exhibited significantly reduced salivary Vitamin D3 levels. Salivary Vitamin
D3 measurement offers a practical, non-invasive approach for early identification of caries risk, particularly in young
populations. These findings support further research into the diagnostic utility of saliva-based Vitamin D assessment
and its potential integration into preventive pediatric dental care.