Molar incisor hypomineralisation (MIH): correlation with dental caries and dental fear.

Abstract

This cross-sectional study was to investigate correlations between molar incisor hypomineralisation (MIH), dental caries and child dental fear. The subjects in the study were representative samples of 8 and 14year old children from three Greek cities (total N=2335). Dental examinations were performed by one calibrated examiner in classrooms, after the children had brushed their teeth, using an intraoral mirror and artificial room light supplemented by a penlight. All the children completed the children's fear survey schedule-dental subscale (CFSS-DS) questionnaire. MIH scores were recorded using EAPD criteria and dental caries experience by DMFS/dmfs index. Data were analysed with the Chi-squared (χ (2)), Mann-Whitney and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient tests. The mean DMFS in children with MIH (8-year olds: 1.60±2.01, 14-year olds: 4.60±4.41) was statistically significantly higher than children without MIH (8-year olds: 1.01±1.78, 14-year olds: 3.46±4.28) (p<0.001 for both age groups). Children with severe MIH had statistically significantly higher mean DMFS scores than children with mild or no MIH (p<0.001), while the dmfs of the 8year olds were unrelated to their MIH status (p=0.332). Caries experience was associated with the MIH status of the first permanent molars in both age groups (p<0.001). The mean CFSS-DS scores did not differ significantly between the groups of children without (26.2±9.9) or with MIH (26.5±9.6) (p=0.339), regardless of MIH severity. A positive association between MIH and dental caries was confirmed and a lack of association found between MIH and dental fear in Greek children.