Session

Dental Science

Description

Purpose: Bad oral habits are risk factors for the incidence of malocclusions. Diagnosing parafunctional and functional habits is crucial, as they can interfere with normal growth and development of the jaws, occlusion, and dental arches, leading to malocclusions. Investigating factors associated with malocclusions is essential for public health policies. This study aims to assess the prevalence of bad oral habits and malocclusions in the primary dentition of children aged 3-6 years in kindergartens in Prishtina, Kosovo, to provide an epidemiological reference for early interceptive and preventive policies. Methodology: A total of 655 Kosovar children (378 boys and 277 girls aged 3-6 years) with primary dentition and no prior orthodontic treatment were clinically examined through random selection from public and private kindergartens in Prishtina and its surroundings. Parents/guardians of consenting children completed a questionnaire about their children's bad habits and oral hygiene. Clinical examinations evaluated occlusal relationships in three planes (sagittal, transverse, and vertical), identifying the presence or absence of bad habits. Results: The validated questionnaires and clinical examinations revealed that among this age group, the habit of bottle feeding was predominant at 51.6%, followed by sucking toys/objects at 13.3%, and the use of pacifiers and nail-biting at 12.1% and 12.2%, respectively. Clinical examination results indicated that 57.5% of the children exhibited Class I (Flush terminal plane), 27.7% Class II (distal step), and 2.1% Class III (mesial step). Additionally, 15.3% of the children had increased overjet. Conclusion: A significant portion of the children in the study exhibited one or more bad oral habits. There was a notable correlation between certain oral habits and the occurrence of malocclusions, highlighting the need for early orthodontic identification and intervention.

Keywords:

Bad oral habits, malocclusions, children, primary dentition, orthodontics

Proceedings Editor

Edmond Hajrizi

ISBN

978-9951-982-15-3

Location

UBT Kampus, Lipjan

Start Date

25-10-2024 9:00 AM

End Date

27-10-2024 6:00 PM

DOI

10.33107/ubt-ic.2024.187

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Oct 25th, 9:00 AM Oct 27th, 6:00 PM

Prevalence of Bad Oral Habits and Their Effects on the Occlusion of Children Aged 3-6 Years in Prishtina, Kosovo

UBT Kampus, Lipjan

Purpose: Bad oral habits are risk factors for the incidence of malocclusions. Diagnosing parafunctional and functional habits is crucial, as they can interfere with normal growth and development of the jaws, occlusion, and dental arches, leading to malocclusions. Investigating factors associated with malocclusions is essential for public health policies. This study aims to assess the prevalence of bad oral habits and malocclusions in the primary dentition of children aged 3-6 years in kindergartens in Prishtina, Kosovo, to provide an epidemiological reference for early interceptive and preventive policies. Methodology: A total of 655 Kosovar children (378 boys and 277 girls aged 3-6 years) with primary dentition and no prior orthodontic treatment were clinically examined through random selection from public and private kindergartens in Prishtina and its surroundings. Parents/guardians of consenting children completed a questionnaire about their children's bad habits and oral hygiene. Clinical examinations evaluated occlusal relationships in three planes (sagittal, transverse, and vertical), identifying the presence or absence of bad habits. Results: The validated questionnaires and clinical examinations revealed that among this age group, the habit of bottle feeding was predominant at 51.6%, followed by sucking toys/objects at 13.3%, and the use of pacifiers and nail-biting at 12.1% and 12.2%, respectively. Clinical examination results indicated that 57.5% of the children exhibited Class I (Flush terminal plane), 27.7% Class II (distal step), and 2.1% Class III (mesial step). Additionally, 15.3% of the children had increased overjet. Conclusion: A significant portion of the children in the study exhibited one or more bad oral habits. There was a notable correlation between certain oral habits and the occurrence of malocclusions, highlighting the need for early orthodontic identification and intervention.