THE PREVALENCE OF MALOCCLUSION IN 13-YEAR-OLD TO 15-YEAR-OLD CHILDRENIN NAIROBI, KENYA

Data on occlusal features and the need for orthodontic treatment in Ke nya is scanty. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of malocclusion in children in Nairobi, Kenya. Nine hundred and ninete en children aged 13-15 years (468 male, 451 female) were examined. The registration method used was that described by Bjork et al. The preva lence of malocclusion was 72%. The predominant anteroposterior relatio nship of the dental arches was neutral occlusion (93%). Specific maloc clusion traits were highest for crowding (19%), rotations (19%), poste rior crossbite (10%), maxillary overjet (10%), and frontal open bite ( 8%). There was no statistically significant difference in the overall prevalence of malocclusion between males and females, but some occlusa l traits were significantly higher in males. Although the findings ind icate that the present population is not characterized by a substantia l difference in the overall prevalence of malocclusion compared with o ther communities, some traits differed in prevalence from those report ed elsewhere.