Resumo

MOURA, Lúcia de Fátima Almeida de Deus et al. Characteristics of the primary dentition of children who attended a Mother and Child Dental Care Program. RGO, Rev. gaúch. odontol. (Online) [online]. 2012, vol.60, n.4, pp. 479-484. ISSN 1981-8637.

Objective To assess the type of occlusion prevalent in children who attended a Mother and Child Dental Care Program in the city of Teresina. Methods The clinical records of children who had participated in the Preventive Program for Expectant Mothers and Babies were chosen randomly and a letter was sent to 1,801 mothers. 343 (19%) responded by attending a consultation, and 261 of these were selected. They were aged 3 to 6, of both sexes and with complete deciduous dentiti on. The data were transcribed to individual clinical record cards and then tabulated and analyzed statistically using EPI-INFO software, version 6.04. An alpha error of 5.0% was considered for false rejection hypothesis. Results A prevalence of type II arch was observed, in both the upper and lower jaw. The chi-square test showed there was no significant difference between the types of dental arch with regard to age. The presence of primate space in the upper arch was found in 71.2% of the sample, while in the lower arch the frequency was 44.8%. Age was not a determining factor of changes with regard to the presence or absence of primate space. The vertical terminal plane between second primary was prevalent in all ages and the situation showed no difference with regard to the dental arches. Regarding the presence of overjet, overbite and anterior open bite, there was a statistically significant decrease in their frequency with the increase in age. Conclusion The children examined exhibited predominantly type II arch, with primate space in the upper arch and vertical terminal plane between second primary molars.

Palavras-chave : Dental occlusion.; Dentition primary.; Orthodontics preventive..