Nutritional Status, Eating Behavior, and Hygiene Practices in Relation to Permanent Molar Caries Among 7–9-Year-Old Children in a High-Stunting Rural Community

Background: Caries in the first permanent molar is a major oral health concern in nutritionally vulnerable rural populations. Children living in stunting-endemic areas may be at elevated risk due to suboptimal dietary habits and hygiene practices.Methods: This analytic cross-sectional study involved 150 children aged 7–9 years from three elementary schools in a stunting locus village in Pesawaran District, Indonesia. Nutritional status was assessed using WHO Height-for-Age standards, while eating behavior and personal hygiene were measured using validated Guttman-scale questionnaires. Dental caries in the mandibular first permanent molar were examined clinically using WHO criteria. Chi-square tests were applied to determine associations (p