The relationship between food security with diet quality and dental caries experience among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children

OBJECTIVE: To investigate associations between food security, diet quality and dental caries among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. METHODS: We analysed cross-sectional data from the South Australian Aboriginal Birth Cohort study. Food insecurity was assessed using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale, dental caries experience via DMFT Index >0, and diet quality with Menzies Remote Short Item Dietary Assessment Tool. Linear regressions and generalized linear models estimated associations between food insecurity, diet quality and dental caries. RESULTS: Of the 219 children, 55.7% had caries. Nearly half of the children and families faced food insecurity: 13.7% mild, 28.3% moderate, and 14.6% severe. Children in severely food-insecure households had more caries, though the association was non-linear, with moderate insecurity linked to fewer caries than mild insecurity. Severely food-insecure children had slightly poorer diet quality, mainly due to lower vegetable intake, with negligible differences across other food groups. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the burden of food insecurity and dental caries experience among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, underscoring the need for targeted support to improve long-term health. IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH: Findings highlight the need for culturally appropriate food security measures and recognition of food security as a basic human right.