Prevalence of dental caries and its association with molar incisor hypomineralization among 7–10-year-old children in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. An epidemiological study

Molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH) is a developmental defect in enamel that affects the oral health of children. This study assessed the prevalence of dental caries among 7-10-year-olds and its association with MIH in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. This epidemiological study used stratified random sampling of 12 primary schools in Jeddah city. To recruit children, two calibrated examiners in classrooms performed dental examinations for caries using the World Health Criteria and MIH based on the MIH criteria of the European Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (EAPD). Among 2010 children, caries prevalence was 1719 (85.5%) and MIH was 359 (17.9%). A total of 1872 (93.1%) children lived with both parents. The mean dmft score for primary dentition was significantly higher in children with MIH (4.920 ± 3.400) compared to those without MIH (4.490 ± 3.315) (P = 0.031). The presence of caries in permanent dentition was significantly associated with MIH (P = 0.028). MIH presence was associated with a statistically significant reduced likelihood of dental caries in primary dentition (AOR = 0.732, 95% CI: 0.547-0.980, P = 0.036) and statistically significant increased likelihood of dental caries in permanent dentition (AOR = 1.432, 95% CI: 1.303-1.574, P < 0.001). MIH was a risk factor for increasing dental caries in primary and permanent dentitions. This study provides new insights specific to a population in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, which has not been extensively studied in the literature. Implications for children diagnosed with MIH to follow a strict preventive program to prevent dental caries in affected teeth.