ABSTRACT
To determine the mean eruption time of permanent first molars, central and lateral incisors and to compare the relationship of mean eruption time with body mass index [BMI] in Saudi female primary school children from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Cross sectional study. The study population comprised of 612 randomly selected primary school children of grade 1 to grade 3. The eruption time of permanent first molars, central and lateral incisors with age, height and weight were recorded. The mean age of children was 89.3 [SD 9.6] months ranging from 71 months to 109 months. The maxillary right first molar had the lowest mean eruption time of 77.4 [SD 3.9] months and the maxillary right lateral incisor was the last tooth to erupt with eruption time of 98.4 [SD 6.5] months. Furthermore, the mandibular incisors erupted significantly earlier than maxillary incisors. By the age of 100 months, 97% of the girls had all their first permanent molars erupted. There was no significant correlation observed between eruption times with BMI of the studied teeth except the maxillary right lateral incisor. However, an inverse relationship may exist between the eruption times and BMI. The Saudi female primary school children showed later eruption time of permanent first molars, central and lateral incisors when compared with the reported results of other national studies