Prevalence and pattern of dental anomalies among schoolchildren in Aden, Yemen

<title>Abstract</title> <bold>Background:</bold> Dental anomalies (DAs) are clinically relevant developmental anomalies that impact oral health and overall quality of life. <bold>Objectives</bold> : Our study aimed to determine the prevalence of dental anomalies among schoolchildren in Aden, Yemen. <bold>Methods</bold> : A cross-sectional study was performed involving 1,026 schoolchildren aged 8–13 years in Aden, Yemen. The DAs were evaluated by clinical examinations and the nutritional status was checked using BMI z-scores. The data was entered and then analyzed using SPSS. <bold>Results</bold> : Out of 1,026 schoolchildren, the overall prevalence of DA was showed in 304 (29.6%). The DA was significantly higher among children in age group less than 10 years, males and those children who had low BMI (34.1%, 40.9% and 69.4%), respectively and ( <italic>P</italic> = 0.0001), each. tongue tie was the most frequent anomaly that found in 11.6% of children and it was significantly higher in males (68.1%, P = 0.001). the significant highest rates for impacted teeth, Supernumerary teeth and Tongue Tie were noticed in children aged below 10 years, (90.9%, 72.7%, 52.1; p=0.0001, 0.01, 0.005), respectively. all cases had supernumerary teeth had low BMI (P = 0.034). the two anomalies talon cusp and tongue tie also were correlated with low BMI (P = 0.024 and 0.007), respectively. <bold>Conclusion</bold> : The prevalence of dental anomalies in Aden, Yemen was relatively high comparing to most global studies. The DA was associated with children aged less than 10 years old, males and the low BMI. The tongue tie is the most frequent anomaly among the children and it significantly associated with the males and children aged below 10 years.