Malocclusion in Elementary School Children in Beirut: Severity and Related Social/Behavioral Factors

Aim. To assess severity of malocclusion in Lebanese elementary school children and the relationship between components of malocclusion and sociodemographic and behavioral factors. Methods. Dental screening was performed on 655 school children aged 6–11 from 2 public (PB) and 5 private (PV) schools i...

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Main Authors: Antoine Hanna, Monique Chaaya, Celine Moukarzel, Khalil El Asmar, Miran Jaffa, Joseph G. Ghafari
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2015-01-01
Series:International Journal of Dentistry
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/351231
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author Antoine Hanna
Monique Chaaya
Celine Moukarzel
Khalil El Asmar
Miran Jaffa
Joseph G. Ghafari
author_facet Antoine Hanna
Monique Chaaya
Celine Moukarzel
Khalil El Asmar
Miran Jaffa
Joseph G. Ghafari
author_sort Antoine Hanna
collection DOAJ
description Aim. To assess severity of malocclusion in Lebanese elementary school children and the relationship between components of malocclusion and sociodemographic and behavioral factors. Methods. Dental screening was performed on 655 school children aged 6–11 from 2 public (PB) and 5 private (PV) schools in Beirut. A calibrated examiner recorded occlusion, overjet, overbite, posterior crossbite, midline diastema, and crowding. Another examiner determined the DMFT (Decayed/Missing/Filled Teeth) score. A questionnaire filled by the parents provided data on sociodemographic and behavioral factors. Multinomial, binomial, and multiple linear regressions tested the association of these factors with occlusal indices. Results. Malocclusion was more severe in PB students. Age and sucking habit were associated with various components of malocclusion. Crowding was more prevalent among males and significantly associated with the DMFT score. Income and educational level were significantly higher (P<0.05) in PV pupils and deleterious habits were more frequent in PB children. Conclusions. Children of lower socioeconomic background had more severe malocclusions and poorer general dental health. Compared to Western and WHO norms, the findings prompt health policy suggestions to improve dental care of particularly public school children through regular screenings in schools, prevention methods when applicable, and cost effective practices through public and private enabling agencies.
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spelling doaj-art-73ee45a2ca7c4135815a61bd100eb8132025-08-20T03:33:53ZengWileyInternational Journal of Dentistry1687-87281687-87362015-01-01201510.1155/2015/351231351231Malocclusion in Elementary School Children in Beirut: Severity and Related Social/Behavioral FactorsAntoine Hanna0Monique Chaaya1Celine Moukarzel2Khalil El Asmar3Miran Jaffa4Joseph G. Ghafari5Division of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, LebanonDepartment of Epidemiology and Population Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, LebanonPrivate Practice, Beirut, LebanonDepartment of Epidemiology and Population Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, LebanonDepartment of Epidemiology and Population Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, LebanonDivision of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, LebanonAim. To assess severity of malocclusion in Lebanese elementary school children and the relationship between components of malocclusion and sociodemographic and behavioral factors. Methods. Dental screening was performed on 655 school children aged 6–11 from 2 public (PB) and 5 private (PV) schools in Beirut. A calibrated examiner recorded occlusion, overjet, overbite, posterior crossbite, midline diastema, and crowding. Another examiner determined the DMFT (Decayed/Missing/Filled Teeth) score. A questionnaire filled by the parents provided data on sociodemographic and behavioral factors. Multinomial, binomial, and multiple linear regressions tested the association of these factors with occlusal indices. Results. Malocclusion was more severe in PB students. Age and sucking habit were associated with various components of malocclusion. Crowding was more prevalent among males and significantly associated with the DMFT score. Income and educational level were significantly higher (P<0.05) in PV pupils and deleterious habits were more frequent in PB children. Conclusions. Children of lower socioeconomic background had more severe malocclusions and poorer general dental health. Compared to Western and WHO norms, the findings prompt health policy suggestions to improve dental care of particularly public school children through regular screenings in schools, prevention methods when applicable, and cost effective practices through public and private enabling agencies.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/351231
spellingShingle Antoine Hanna
Monique Chaaya
Celine Moukarzel
Khalil El Asmar
Miran Jaffa
Joseph G. Ghafari
Malocclusion in Elementary School Children in Beirut: Severity and Related Social/Behavioral Factors
International Journal of Dentistry
title Malocclusion in Elementary School Children in Beirut: Severity and Related Social/Behavioral Factors
title_full Malocclusion in Elementary School Children in Beirut: Severity and Related Social/Behavioral Factors
title_fullStr Malocclusion in Elementary School Children in Beirut: Severity and Related Social/Behavioral Factors
title_full_unstemmed Malocclusion in Elementary School Children in Beirut: Severity and Related Social/Behavioral Factors
title_short Malocclusion in Elementary School Children in Beirut: Severity and Related Social/Behavioral Factors
title_sort malocclusion in elementary school children in beirut severity and related social behavioral factors
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/351231
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