Prevalence of malocclusion in relation to area of residence among 13-15 years old Government and Private school children in Bhopal district, Madhya Pradesh, India.

Background: The published literature on the prevalence of malocclusion among school going children in Madhya Pradesh in relation to socio-economic status and area of residence was nonexistent. Objective: To assess the prevalence of malocclusion in relation to area of residence among the government and private school children in Bhopal district, Madhya Pradesh using dental aesthetic index (DAI). Study design and setting: The study was cross sectional and conducted among 13 – 15 years old school children selected from the government and private schools of rural and urban areas in Bhopal district, Madhya Pradesh, India. Methodology: A pilot study was done on a convenient sample of twenty students. The sample size was estimated based on the risk difference in the malocclusion prevalence between rural and urban children using n. Master software. A multistage cluster sampling was used for selection of study participants. The eligible children aged 13 – 15 years, fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criteria were selected from four government and private schools in the rural and urban areas of Bhopal district. The clinical oral examination of the participants was carried out by a trained and calibrated investigator using a mouth mirror and Community Periodontal Index (CPI) probe under natural day light. The severity of malocclusion was assessed using DAI. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 20. The prevalence and severity of malocclusion between different categories was compared using Chi – square test. Results: A total of 549 school children were examined in the present study. The prevalence of malocclusion (DAI score > 25) among the study population was 21.5%. The prevalence and severity and hence, the treatment need was higher among 13 years old children compared to other age groups (p = 0.001). The prevalence of malocclusion was higher among male children (24.2%) compared to females (19%). There was no statistically significant difference in the prevalence and severity of malocclusion in relation to type of schooling (p = 0.368) and area of residence (p = 0.580). Conclusion: The high prevalence of malocclusion among younger children require thorough assessment as lack of early intervention in certain cases may lead to gross malocclusion at later stages.