ASSESSMENT OF THE OCCLUSAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PRIMARY DENTITION AMONG EGYPTIAN PRE-SCHOOL CHILDREN: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

ABSTRACT Faisal Ali Jarallah Aljarallah; ASSESSMENT OF THE OCCLUSAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PRIMARY DENTITION AMONG EGYPTIAN PRE-SCHOOL CHILDREN: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY (Under the supervision of [Sherine Badr Youness and Shereen Hassan El-Shamy]) Aim: The objective of this study was to assess the occlusal characteristics of primary dentition among Egyptian preschool children. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 362 Egyptian preschool children aged 3-6 years, visiting the Pediatric Dentistry and Public Health Department at Cairo University. Clinical examinations and dental cast impressions were used to assess occlusal characteristics, including molar and canine relationships, spacing, crowding, overbite, and overjet. Data were collected systematically and analyzed using statistical methods to determine the prevalence of various occlusal traits. Results: The study included 362 Egyptian preschool children. There was a balanced gender distribution. The most common primary molar relationship was the mesial step (51.10%), and the majority had a Class I canine relationship (72.10%). Physiological spaces were present in 67.40% of the children with 83.15% showing no dental crowding. Mild overbite (56.63%) and mild overjet (66.57%) were the most common. Posterior crossbite was rare, observed in only 3.31% of children. These findings indicate generally favorable conditions for the eruption and alignment of permanent teeth. Conclusion: Most Egyptian preschool children exhibited favorable occlusal characteristics, with the mesial step molar relationship and Class I canine relationship being the most common. Early assessment and intervention are crucial to maintaining these favorable conditions and addressing any potential occlusal anomalies. Keywords: Occlusal characteristics; Primary dentition; Egyptian preschool children; Class I canine relationship.