MALOCCLUSION IN CHILDREN AGED 3-6 YEARS IN NAIROBI, KENYA

The prevalence of malocclusion in the deciduous dentition of 221 child ren aged 3-6 years in Nairobi, Kenya is reported. The children were dr awn from six randomly selected preprimary schools (kindergarten, nurse ries, and pre-units) from different areas of the city, Overall, 51% of the children were found to have: some form of malocclusion. Maxillary overjet accounted for 13%, deep bite 13%, dental midline displacement 6%, frontal openbite 12% and anterior crossbite 5%. Anthropoid spaces were observed in 85% of the children, while over 60% had spacing in t he incisor region, Straight terminal plane of the deciduous second mol ars was diagnosed in 53% of the children, mesial step in 43% and dista l step occlusion in one percent of the children, The results suggest a need for interceptive orthodontic treatment in some of the children.