Relationship of the Number of Streptococcus Mutans Bacteria ATCC 25175 With DMF-T Index Based on Stunting Occurrence in Andalas Health Center Patients in Padang City

Caries is a multifactorial disease that is affected by saliva and teeth as hosts, microorganisms, substrate, and time. Stunting children experience salivary gland atrophy that causes a decrease in saliva flow rate, buffer function, and immune and antimicrobial components, so it can increase the risk of caries. This study aims to find out the relationship of the number of bacteria with the DMF-T index based on the incidence of stunting. The method used is observational with a cross-sectional study design. The sample was selected by stratified random sampling, with as many as 30 stunting children and 30 normal children. Based on the results of the study, the number of Streptococcus mutans ATCC 25175 bacteria is higher in stunted children than in normal children, but in statistical tests, it does not mean p = 0.659 (p>0.05). The DMF-T index is higher in stunted children than in normal children. Statistical test analysis shows the result of p = 0.004 (p<0.005) that is there is a relationship between the DMF-T index and stunting occurrence. In this study, there was no association of the number of Streptococcus mutans ATCC 25175 bacteria with the DMF-T index based on stunting events