PURPOSE: to evaluate the prevalence of malocclusion in school children between 5 and 12 years-old enrolled in public schools in Araraquara_S.P. (Brazil). METHOD: based on the total number of children (7235) it was carried out the calculation of sampling, involving seven schools, a total of 3380 children. A pilot study and calibration of examiners preceded the study onset. 1934 children were excluded from the sample because they didn't apply for the inclusion criteria. In clinical evaluation, there were analyzed the inter-arcs in transverse, vertical and sagittal directions, intra-arch relationship, facial profile, growth pattern, presence of asymmetry, and harmful habits. RESULTS: of the total sample (1446), 80.29% had malocclusion, being more prevalent in females (81.34%) from 9 to 12 years-old (82.52%). The most prevalent dental relationship was Class I (63.27%), Standard I was the most found facial pattern (92.87%). The predominant inter-arch malocclusions were deep bite and anterior open bite, and the most prevalent intra-arches occlusal changes were spacing and rotation. According to the Chi-square test, there was no significance between malocclusion and the variables: presence of habit, asymmetry, spacing and facial profile. There was a statistically significant difference in the prevalence of variables: open bite, deep bite, spacing, sucking habits (sucking, pacifier, bottle) and the onychophagia habit, when compared the two age groups studied. CONCLUSION: malocclusions affect the most children in this age group, with predominantly dental origin and with little or no facial involvement, obviating the need for early intervention.
Prevalence; Malocclusion; Child
