The prevalence of molar incisor hypomineralization of school children in and around Muvattupuzha, Kerala.

Abstract

Molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH) is a developmental dental defect and has a significant impact on the quality of life of affected individuals. Most of the prevalence studies of MIH have been carried out in the European countries; very little data are available from India. The aim and objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of MIH in 8-15-year-old Malayalee school children in and around Muvattupuzha, Kerala. A cross-sectional epidemiological study was conducted in 5318 healthy Malayalee school children aged between 8 and 15 years in and around Muvattupuzha. The first permanent molars (FPMs) and all permanent incisors were examined for MIH using the European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry 2003 diagnostic criteria. The severity of hypomineralization was recorded according to the Wetzel and Reckel scale. The data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software version 20.0, and a comparison between groups was carried out using the Chi-square test. P ≤ 0.05 was considered for statistical significance. A total of 216 children were diagnosed with MIH. The maximum MIH-affected tooth was found to be mandibular right FPM (186), followed by mandibular left FPM (172), maxillary left FPM (160), and maxillary right FPM (156). The prevalence of MIH in permanent dentition of Malayalee school children in and around Muvattupuzha was 4.1%. Among the MIH-affected children, very few have undertaken dental treatment for the same. Hence, proper awareness and planned preventive and restorative programs are required to minimize the problem.