Abstract

This study was conducted among urban primary school children aged 6 and 9 years old in Sammawa city which lies 300 km south of BaghdadPurpose: to determine the eruption of primary and permanent teeth in relation to protein energy malnutrition.Materials and methods: The sample size composed of 400 children(200 for 6 years old and 200 for 9 years old) distributed in primary schools which were randomly selected from different areas in Sammawa city. The samples were examined physically by anthropometric measurements (weight and height) and orally for counting the number of erupted primary and permanent teeth.Results: The prevalence of malnutrition described by (height and weight) was found to be among 6 years old children 24%, 35% respectively, while among 9 years old was found to be 57%, 22% respectively, where as the mild malnutrition was the most prevalent grade. Mild malnutrition was found to be more prevalent in males than that among females. The results showed significant and high significant differences in the mean number of primary teeth between the well nourished and malnourished children with a higher number among malnourished children, while the apposite picture was found in permanent teeth. The prevalence of malnutrition was higher in 9 years old children than 6 years old children with mild malnutrition was the most prevalent grade of malnutrition and the mean number of primary teeth among malnourished children was found to be higher than among well nourished children for both age groups, while the apposite picture was found regarding the permanent teeth.Recommendations: there is a need for continuous programmers for good diet and maintenance of good oral health conditions among primary school children to maintain a good oral health and to improve gingival condition of children especially malnourished group.

The article was added to IASJ on 2013-12-18

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