Prevalence of early loss of primary molars in school children in Campina Grande, Brazil

ABSTRACT

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of early loss of primary molars in schoolchildren in the city of Campina Grande, PB, Brazil. A total of 369 children [6-10-year-old; 181 boys and 188 girls] were randomly selected from 12 schools. A calibrated experienced examiner [Kappa = 0.90] performed all clinical examinations under natural light. Yates' chi-square test verified the association of variables and odds ratio. Significance level was set to 5%. The results showed that 24.9% of the sample had loss of primary molars, but no differences were observed between genders [p>0.05]. There was larger loss prevalence among the 9 year-olds [27.2%] and the most commonly missing teeth were the lower primary molars [74.3%]. It can be concluded that the early loss prevalence was high and the lower primary molars were the most commonly missing teeth. It can be concluded that the early loss prevalence was high and the lower primary molars were the most commonly missing teeth