The prevalence and severity of malocclusion in foster home children

Relevance. Malocclusions in children present a pressing concern in the field of dentistry. Timely diagnostics and treatment of these conditions are crucial for children aged 6 to 18, residing in foster homes, where incidence tend to be higher compared to children raised in family settings. This heightened incidence is often attributed to the lack of timely examinations by pediatric dentist or orthodontists. Such examinations could have potentially prevented the development of malocclusions or facilitated the administration of appropriate orthodontic treatments.

Materials and methods. The study included 200 children aged 6 to 18, categorized into two groups: 100 children residing in foster homes or orphanages and 100 living with families (control group). Various malocclusions were identified using the Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI) dental aesthetic index and Angle's classification.

Results. Malocclusions were identified in 89.3% of the children from foster home, compared to 66.6% of children from family households. The most prevalent types of malocclusions observed were crowding of front teeth and incisor cross-bite. The DAI dental aesthetic index was higher in children from foster home (DAI = 30.4) than in those from family (DAI = 27.8). Additionally, it was observed that none of the children from foster homes had undergone orthodontic treatment, in contrast to the children in the control group.

Conclusion. The study underscores the significance of diagnosing and treating malocclusions in children, with particular emphasis on those residing in foster homes. The results highlight the necessity of implementing effective methods to prevent and address malocclusions in such environments, aiming to enhance the dental health of the children.

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