An Observational Study Assessing Malocclusion in Boys and Girls from Rural Areas of Rajapur, Bangladesh

Background: Malocclusion is defined as an irregularity of the teeth or a malrelationship between the dental arches beyond the range of what is accepted as normal. It has large impact on individual and society in terms of discomfort, quality of life and social and functional limitations. The etiology of malocclusion may be genetic, environmental or more commonly a combination of them. Objective: To evaluated the malocclusion in children boys and Girls in the rural area Methodology: A cross sectional obsevational survey was conducted among rural area (374) school- age children of Barishal Rajapur Upazila in Bangladesh. A total of 374 children randomly selected boys and girl was examined for Class I, Class II, Class III molar relationship, increased over jet, increased over bite, open bite, crowding, cross bite and spacing after obtaining the written consent from the students, legal guardians and school authorities. Results: The majority 139(74.3%) patients were found malocclusion in male and 123(65.8%) in female group. The difference was not statistically significant (p=0.071) between two groups. The majority 111(79.9%) participants were found Angle’s class I in male and 85(69.1%) in female group. The difference was not statistically significant (p=0.080) between two groups. Increased overjet, increased overbite, open bite, cross bite, crowding and spacing were not statistically significant (p>0.05) between two groups. Conclusion: In this study suggested majority respondents were found malocclusion in boys in comparison to girls group but not statistically significant. No significant difference were found increased overjet, increased overbite, open bite, cross bite, crowding and spacing in boys and girls.