Epidemiology of malocclusion in Argentine children

As part of a nationwide oral health survey in Argentina, malocclusion traits and need of orthodontic treatment was assessed in 1554 schoolchildren aged 12-13 using the WHO-FDI basic method for recording occlusal traits. A frequency of 1.38% extracted permanent teeth was found, being higher in Amerindian than Caucasian children. Incisor diastema and crowding was significantly lower in Amerindians. Both maxillary overjet and overbite were significantly lower in Amerindian (2.9% and 3.8%) than in Caucasian children (9.9% and 8.1%) respectively (P less than 0.001). The frequency of distal molar relation was 10% and the mesial molar relation 5%. Of the children examined 76% had no need of orthodontic treatment. Treatment need in Amerindian group (18%) was significantly lower than in the Caucasian group (28%). Since there is an increasing public demand for the provision of orthodontic treatment in public dental services, careful planning based on feasibility studies is essential for the creation of appropriate solutions.