Prevalence of malocclusion in a sample of Lebanese schoolchildren: an epidemiological study

The study aimed to provide oral health planners in Lebanon with information on the prevalence of malocclusion in schoolchildren in an attempt to define the target population for orthodontic services in the future. A total of 851 schoolchildren (446 males and 405 females) aged 9-15 years were examined for malocclusion using Angle's classification. In all, 59.5% of the sample had malocclusions, 35.5% of which were of dental origin and 24% had skeletal discrepancy (19% Class II and 5% Class III malocclusions). A statistically significant difference was found between males and females. The findings are compared with those of studies of other ethnic groups and suggestions for future epidemiological research are presented.