Prevalence of malocclusion in primary dentition in a population-based sample of Brazilian preschool children

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ABSTRACT

Aim

The purpose of the present study was to assess the prevalence of malocclusion in the primary dentition in a
randomised representative sample of Brazilian preschool children.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey
was carried out in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, involving 1069 male and female preschool children from 60 to 71 months of age,
randomly selected from public and private preschools and daycare centers. A questionnaire addressing demographic data
was sent to parents/guardians in order to characterise the sample. The oral examination of the children was performed by a
single, previously calibrated dentist (kappa inter-examiner agreement value = 0.82). The criterion for the categorisation of
malocclusion was at least one of the following conditions: posterior crossbite, overjet (> 2 mm), anterior crossbite, anterior
open bite and deep overbite. Univariate analysis was performed using the SPSS software

Results

The prevalence of
malocclusion was 46.2. Deep overbite was the most prevalent alteration (19.7 of the sample). Posterior
crossbite was diagnosed in 13.1 of the children; 10.5 had accentuated overjet; 7.9 had anterior open
bite; and 6.7 had anterior crossbite.

Conclusion

Malocclusion in primary dentition is becoming a significant
problem. The prevalence in the present study was high, especially vertical and transversal malocclusions.

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