title: Prevalence of demarcated hypomineralisation defects in second primary molars in Iraqi children.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Demarcated hypomineralization lesions are not uncommon in second primary molars. Data on the prevalence of hypomineralized second primary molars (HSPM) are scarce.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the prevalence of HSPM, assess the relationship between HSPM and first permanent molars previously diagnosed with demarcated lesions and to determine the severity of HSPM in relation to dental caries severity.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cluster sample of 809, 7- to 9-year-old children was examined. The scoring criteria proposed by the European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry for hypomineralization in permanent dentition were adapted to score HSPMs. The International Caries Detection and Assessment System was used to assess caries status in the second primary molar of the children diagnosed with demarcated defects. The examination was carried out in schools by a calibrated dentist.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the children examined, 53 (6.6%) had hypomineralization defects in at least one second primary molar. Combinations of affected first permanent and second primary molars were reported in 21 (39.6%) of cases. Severe carious lesions were found mostly in teeth with enamel breakdown.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of HSPM was 6.6%. Over one-third of affected second primary molars were associated with demarcated lesions in the first permanent molars. The chance of severe caries increased with the increase in the demarcated lesion severity.
authors.affiliation: Oral Health CRC, Melbourne Dental School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic., Australia. dentagh@gmail.com
authors.forename: Aghareed
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ghanim
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Manton
authors.forename: Rodrigo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mariño
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Morgan
authors.forename: Denise
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bailey
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000473:pathology; D003804:Dentin / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007493:Iraq / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008963:Molar / Q000473:pathology*; D015995:Prevalence; D019228:Tooth Crown / Q000473:pathology; D017001:Tooth Demineralization / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous / Q000473:pathology*