title: Malocclusion in children aged 3-6 years in Nairobi, Kenya.
abstract: The prevalence of malocclusion in the deciduous dentition of 221 children aged 3-6 years in Nairobi, Kenya is reported. The children were drawn from six randomly selected preprimary schools (kindergarten, nurseries, and pre-units) from different areas of the city. Overall, 51% of the children were found to have some form of malocclusion. Maxillary overjet accounted for 13%, deep bite 13%, dental midline displacement 6%, frontal openbite 12% and anterior crossbite 5%. Anthropoid spaces were observed in 85% of the children, while over 60% had spacing in the incisor region. Straight terminal plane of the deciduous second molars was diagnosed in 53% of the children, mesial step in 43% and distal step occlusion in one percent of the children. The results suggest a need for interceptive orthodontic treatment in some of the children.
authors.affiliation: Dental Surgeon, Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya.
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Kabue
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Moracha
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Ng'ang'a
mesh_terms: D017677:Age Distribution; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003753:Dental Health Surveys; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007630:Kenya / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D017678:Sex Distribution; D014504:Urban Health