Abstract
Objectives The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of malocclusion and its associated
demographic and clinical factors in young adolescents (13–15 years) of Karachi, Pakistan.
Materials and Methods An epidemiological survey included 500 young adolescents of registered schools, madrassas
(Islamic education system), and shop workers of Gulshan-e-Iqbal Town. It was a cross-sectional
analytical study design. Multistage random sampling technique was used to enroll participants.
The pattern of occlusion was recorded with other related features using Angle's classification.
Health status was recorded through World Health Organization-guided indices (decayed,
missing, and filled permanent teeth [DMFT], community periodontal index of treatment
needs [CPITN], and body mass index [BMI]). The information, thus, obtained was analyzed
through SPSS using the chi-squared test and regression models.
Results Forty four percent of the participants were female, while overall estimated prevalence
of malocclusion in young adolescents of Karachi was 57.4%. After adjustments, participants
going to any kind of education system had less malocclusion in comparison to those
who were not going to any education system (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.305, 95%
confidence interval [CI] = 0.12–0.73); mother's education especially higher level
(aOR = 2.02, 95% CI = 1.08–3.75) and presence of periodontal disease (aOR = 1.57,
95% CI = 1.06–2.33) were significantly associated with malocclusion.
Conclusion This study showed that the class I malocclusion is prevalent in the local community.
Demographic factors like gender, age, self-reported ethnicity, and BMI did not show
any significant role. Education or knowledge of parents and young adolescents does
play an influential role in decreasing malocclusion. Young adolescents, who are more
prone to oral health problems at an early age, would have more chances to develop
occlusal discrepancies.
Keywords
malocclusion - DMFT index - CPITN index - young adolescents - prevalence
