Prevalence of Malocclusion in Early Childhood and Its Impact on Oral Health-Related Quality of Life of Children: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objective: This study aimed to detect the prevalence of malocclusion in early childhood and determine its effect on quality of life of preschool children Materials and methods: 371 children aged 2 - 6 years were screened for the presence of malocclusion based on the criteria of The Dental Health Component of the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN) . The quality of life of children with malocclusions were assessed using the Malocclusion Impact scale for Early Childhood (MIS-EC) questionnaire. Results: • A total of 33 children (8.9%) exhibited some form of malocclusion.• The most common malocclusions were increased overjet (27.3%), deep bite (21.2%), and crowding (21.2%).• Grade 2 malocclusion was the most frequent (39.4%), followed by grade 3 (36.4%).• The overall impact on OHRQoL was low, with most parents reporting minimal effect on their child’s daily activities.Conclusion: The occurence of malocclusion in preschool Egyptian children is relatively low , with increased overjet, deep overbite, and crowding being the most frequent occlusal abnormalities .The effect of malocclusions at this age on OHRQoL was found to be minimal.. Longitudinal studies are particularly recommended to assess the progression of malocclusions and their broader implications on OHRQoL.