Supplementary Material for: Online Social Capital and Dental Caries in Adolescents: Exploring a New Link

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the association between online social capital and dental caries among adolescents. Methods: A cross-sectional study was nested within a cohort and conducted with adolescents from Santa Maria, southern Brazil. Dental caries was assessed using the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS), considering the number of teeth with cavitated lesions (scores 3, 5, and 6). Online social capital was measured using self-reported items on social media use, perceived digital support, and sense of digital belonging. Poisson regression models were used to estimate associations, adjusting for sociodemographic, behavioral, and psychosocial variables. Results are presented as Rate Ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: A total of 406 adolescents were included. The mean number of teeth with cavitated caries was 1.45 (SD: 3.48). Adolescents who reported infrequent use of social media had a higher mean number of cavitated lesions compared to those who used social media daily. Higher levels of dental caries were also observed among those who reported low trust in online interactions. Similarly, a lack of perceived belonging in the digital environment was associated with a greater number of cavitated caries. Conclusion: Infrequent social media use, low trust in online relationships, and a diminished sense of digital belonging were associated with higher levels of dental caries among adolescents.