Original Article

Year : 2020 | Volume : 5 | Issue : 2 | Page : 60-63

Prevalence of Early Loss of Primary Molars among Schoolchildren Aged 5–9 years in Bangalore City: A Cross‐Sectional Study

Isha Khurana, S.T. Prashanth, C.R. Sanjana, Yasin Salman1

Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, VS Dental College and Hospital, 1

Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India

Address for correspondence:

Dr. Isha Khurana,

Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, VS Dental College

and Hospital, KR Road, VV Puram, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.

E‐mail: ishakhurana202@gmail.com

Abstract

Introduction:

Early loss of deciduous molars has a great impact on the development of the dentition. Psychological, morphological, and functional problems may result from premature loss. Thus, early recognition and management play a crucial rule in delivering effective dental treatment to the child patient.

Aim:

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of early loss of primary molars in schoolchildren in Bangalore city, India.

Materials and Methods:

The study group included 200 children, that is, 115 boys and 85 girls. The dental examination was performed by an experienced examiner under sufficient natural light. Data including patient age and missing molars were collected, classifying the status of molars according to the WHO oral health assessment form for children (tooth). Collected data from each patient were subjected to statistical analysis to know the prevalence of early loss of primary molars.

Results:

The results showed that 31% of the sample had early loss of primary teeth with no statistically significant difference between genders. A higher prevalence was found among the 7–9‐year‐olds (69%), and the most commonly affected teeth were the right lower primary first molars (23%). Conclusion: The findings give an inference that untreated early childhood caries is the most common cause for early loss of primary molars resulting in occlusal discrepancy and functional problems. It is crucial to increase awareness among parents, pediatricians, and general dentists regarding the importance of primary teeth.

Keywords: Early loss, primary molars, schoolchildren

Financial support and sponsorship

Nil.

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.

How to cite this article: Khurana I, Prashanth ST, Sanjana CR, Salman Y. Prevalence of early loss of primary molars among schoolchildren aged 5–9 years in Bangalore city: A cross‐sectional study. Int J Pedod Rehabil 2021;5:60-3.