Objectives: The 2018 Basic Health Research (RISKESDAS), conducted by the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia showed a high prevalence of dental caries (88.8%) in Indonesia and suggested that smoking tobacco was associated with an increased risk of dental caries. This study analyzed the association between tobacco smoking and dental caries in the Indonesian population. Methods: This was a cross-sectional analysis of secondary data collected from RISKESDAS 2018. The study population included 35 391 Indonesians aged ≥10 years from all 34 provinces. The decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) index was used to measure dental caries. Smoking status was assessed qualitatively based on smoking activity, and the level of smoking exposure was assessed based on the Brinkman index. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was employed to examine the relationships of smoking status and smoking exposure levels with the DMFT index. Results: Of the population aged ≥10 years, 36% had a DMFT≥8 (females: 37.5%, males: 33.9%). Almost one-fourth (23.4%) were current smokers, and 4.1% were ex-smokers. Furthermore, 26.4% had a Brinkman index ≥400, indicating heavy smoking. According to the multivariate analysis, current smoking status was associated with the risk of DMFT≥8 in males (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.40; 95% CI, 1.27 to 1.55; p<0.001) and overall (aOR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.00 to 1.14; p=0.037). In females, ex-smoking was associated with a 41% higher risk of DMFT≥8 (aOR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.07 to 1.84; p=0.014). Heavy smoking was associated with a higher risk of DMFT≥8 in males (aOR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.25 to 1.52; p<0.001) and females (aOR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.03 to 1.50; p=0.022). Conclusions Tobacco smoking was associated with dental caries in the Indonesian population.

Introduction: Micronutrient deficiencies are common in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection. The long-term side effects of antiretroviral therapy (ART), specifically Azidothymine (AZT), include low serum levels of vitamin B12 and folate, which in turn, lead to megaloblastic anaemia and oral lesions. Methods: A crosssectional study was conducted to determine the associations between manifestation of oral lesions and serum vitamin B12 and folate levels in HIV-adult patients with or without receiving ART therapy. Oral lesions were determined based on the ECClearinghouse diagnostic criteria. Serum vitamin B12 and folate were assessed by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA). Sixty participants (48 males and 12 females) aged 20 to 51 years were recruited from a private hospital in Bandung, Indonesia. Results: Subnormal levels of serum vitamin B12 and folate were found in 16.6% and 6.7% HIV patients, respectively. Significantly lower serum levels of vitamin B12 and folate were shown in HIV patients receiving ART than those without ART. Oral lesions were found in all the participants with subnormal levels of serum vitamin B12 and folate. Presence of oral lesions was significantly associated with low levels of serum vitamin B12 in HIV patients with ART, but not with low folate levels. Conclusion: Low levels of serum vitamin B12 and folate were shown in HIV patients, indicating the need for early nutritional intervention to ensure optimal nutritional status and prevention of oral lesions in HIV patients.