Prevalence of Malocclusions in Children and Adolescents in Guinea-Bissau: A Cross-Sectional Observational Preliminar Study

ABSTRACT Objective: To investigate the prevalence of malocclusions in children and adolescents in a population in Guinea-Bissau, Africa. Material and Methods: The convenience sample comprised 403 individuals of both sexes. Following anamnesis, a clinical examination was conducted to gather occlusion data, including Angle’s molar classification, canine relationship, degree of overjet and overbite, the presence or absence of physiological spaces, and crowding. The data were described using absolute and percentage frequencies and compared using Fisher's exact test or Pearson's chi-square test (p<0.05). Results: Class I molar relationship was observed in 75.2% of patients, while 18.4% exhibited Class II molar relationship, and 6.5% displayed class III. Concerning the canine relationship, 33% of individuals had a Class I relationship, 19% a Class II relationship, and 3% a Class III relationship. Deep bite was observed in 16% of patients, open bite in 20%, and edge-to-edge relationship in 11%. Furthermore, 48% of the patients presented with diastema, and 34% exhibited dental crowding. No significant difference in occlusion findings was noted between the sexes. Conclusion: Half of the population examined had some form of malocclusion, with Class I being the most prevalent. Therefore, further occlusal analysis studies in African populations are crucial to contributing significantly to the planning of public policies and the implementation of preventive action.