Possibilities for prevention of malocclusions in South African children

An effective preventive and interceptive (P & I) orthodontic programme for young children would reduce the need for comprehensive orthodontic treatment. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of the development of preventable malocclusions amongst a group of children at the mixed dentition stage. An examination (T1) was performed on 951 8-9 year old children from 9 primary schools in Pretoria. Of these, 493 children could be traced for re-examination 2 years later (T2). The following changes in the occlusion were noted: In 12.1 per cent of the 493 children, an acceptable occlusion at T1 had developed into a malocclusion at T2. A malocclusion was recorded for 97 per cent of the sample at T2, yet only 32.4 per cent of the subjects had received orthodontic treatment between T1 and T2. A mere 3.3 per cent of the children examined were treated at state clinics. In 64.6 per cent of cases the malocclusion was not diagnosed nor addressed. It is suggested that bi-annual orthodontic screening of all 7-12 year old children and implementation of P & I orthodontic treatment at community clinics would contribute to achieving the primary health care objectives of the Reconstruction and Development Programme for South Africa.