Prevalence of malocclusion in jimma saint peter and paul Catholic kindergarten to secondary school among grade 5 to 8 students in jimma town, south western ethiopia

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Malocclusion is a problem of all age group and mostly it causes psychological stress and social discrimination in young people. It is caused by a lot of etiological factors that are classified in different way. From this generally, congenital and environmental factors of classification was now a day accepted. The prevalence of this problem varies from population to population regardless of race, ethnicity and culture. If left untreated, may leads to impairment in the quality of life, psychological stress and esthetical problem in young children. OBJECTIVE: To assess prevalence of malocclusion in Jimma Sts Peter and Paul Catholic School children among grade 5 to 8 students. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from April 22 up to April 26, 2013 with a systematic random sampling technique. The sample was selected from a total of 305 students. The data was collected using interview guide structured questioners and from clinical examination. The obtained data was coded, compiled and analyzed by manual and scientific (calculator and computer) ways. RESULT AND DISCUSSION: The clinical examination was carried out by two dental interns in children’s class room. The data on Angles classification was analyzed manually and by SPSS. Fast Angle classification revealed 55.05% had normal occlusion, class I malocclusion was observed in 53.06%, class II 38.78%, class II div 1 73.68%, class II div 2 26.32% and class III 8.16% of children. Anterior cross bite was observed in 18.37% of the subjects, posterior cross bite in 2.04%, anterior and posterior cross bite in simultaneously in 4.08%. Teeth crowding was observed in 61.22% and open bite in 14.29%. CONCLUSSION: Class I malocclusion was the most prevalent but class III malocclusion was the least prevalent. The presence of malocclusion was higher than normal occlusion among examined individuals with bad oral habits. RECOMMENDATION: Jimma Sts Peter and Paul Catholic School staffs should teach about oral health in mass media of school program.