Estudo Epidemiológico dos Defeitos de Desenvolvimento do Esmalte em um Grupo de Escolares Nigerianos

Objective: This epidemiological study of dental enamel defects in a group of Nigerian school children assessed the prevalence, distribution and associated etiological factors of developmental defects of enamel. Method: The study subjects consisting of 2015 school children, (1088 males and 927 females) in the age range 4 to 16 years were randomly selected from 6 schools in Lagos, Nigeria. Intra-oral examination for dental enamel defects was carried out on all the children using a modification of the “Federation Dentaire Internationale” system. The mothers of the children were interviewed on relevant associated etiological factors. Results: A total of 226 (11.22%) of the children examined had dental enamel defects. The most prevalent dental enamel defect seen was chronologic enamel hypoplasia (7.5%), and most common type of distribution was the diffuse patchy type (61.5%). No statistically significant difference in distribution of defects between males and females. (p>0.05.) Most of the defects were on the buccal surfaces of the affected teeth (40.26%). The difference observed in the location of defects on the teeth between males and females was statistically significant (p<0.05). Conclusion: These unaesthetic enamel defects are prevalent in Nigeria children and mainly associated with childhood illnesses, use of tetracycline and poor socio-economic conditions.