Prevalence of Dental Malocclusion and Occlusal Traits among 12- 16-Year-Old Children in Shaiosudoku District
Date
2019-07
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Publisher
University of Ghana
Abstract
Background
Dental malocclusion is the third most dominant dental condition behind dental caries and
periodontitis. Unlike other disease conditions, dental malocclusion is a deviation in the
arrangement of the teeth from the norm. It is not a life-threatening condition but can result
in difficulty in mastication, speech and maintenance of good oral hygiene. Data on the
prevalence of dental malocclusion based on acceptable classification of the condition
remain scarce.
Objectives
The study therefore sought to determine the prevalence of dental malocclusion and
occlusal traits among 12-16-year-old school children in the Shai-Osudoku District in the
Greater Accra region of Ghana. This study also sought to determine the distribution of
clinically relevant occlusal traits and the prevalence of occlusal anomalies in an
orthodontically relevant period of dental development among the study population.
Methods:
The study was conducted using a descriptive school-based cross-sectional study design
that involved interviewing and clinical examination of 340 school children between the
ages of 12-16 years from randomly selected schools in the Shai-Osudoku district of
Ghana. During the clinical examination, clinically relevant occlusal traits were recorded
together with class of molar relationship based on Angle’s classification of malocclusion
using a modified WHO/FDI dentofacial anomalies assessment form. Data were recorded
in excel and imported in STATA version 15 software for analysis. Descriptive and
inferential statistical analysis was conducted which included Fisher’s exact tests to determine the factors influencing the development of the various classes of dental
malocclusion.
Results:
Results showed the mean age of 13.51.3, majority (93.2%) of the respondents had
various forms of occlusal anomalies. Prevalence of Class I, Class II and Class III
malocclusion were found to be 69.2%, 5.6% and 19.1% respectively. Posterior crossbite,
crowding and discrepancies in the midline were detected in 21%, 26% and 24.4% of the
respondents respectively. Tooth malrotation (χ2 31.221, p<0.001), increased overjet (χ2
=31.184, p< 0.001) as well as increased overbite (χ2 =55.178, p<0.001) were found to be
significantly associated with dental malocclusion.
Conclusion:
The study showed a high prevalence of dental malocclusion among the respondents. Tooth
malrotation, increased overjet, increased overbite as well as age of the respondents were
found to have a significant association with dental malocclusion. The high prevalence of
dental malocclusion and clinically relevant occlusal traits therefore require behavioural,
preventive and interceptive orthodontic procedures to halt the further progression into
severe skeletal anomalies.
Description
MPH.
Keywords
Dental Malocclusion, Occlusal Traits, Shaiosudoku District