Prevalence and assessment of severity of molar incisor hypomineralization among school children aged 7-12 years in Kollam district, Kerala, India.

AIMS AND

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence and severity of molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH) among schoolchildren of 7-12 years in Kollam district, Kerala.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Two-stage cluster sampling was applied. The study was undertaken for a period of 12-18 months. A total of 705 children between 7 and 12 years were selected from 16 schools of Kollam district. After obtaining institutional approval and parental consent, children were screened for MIH using the EAPD diagnostic criteria, and severity was assessed using the Molar Hypomineralization Severity Index.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of MIH in children aged 7-12 years in Kollam district was observed to be 6.3%. The prevalence of mild and moderate forms of MIH were 48.9% each and the prevalence of severe form of MIH was 2.2%.The highest prevalence of MIH was seen in North West zone of Kollam and least was in South East zone of Kollam. The age group most affected was 9 years, and the prevalence was almost similar among boys and girls. The affected cases presented with an equal number of mild and moderate severity.

CONCLUSION

The overall prevalence of MIH in children aged 7-12 years in Kollam district was observed to be 6.3%, and the prevalence of mild and moderate forms of MIH were 48.9% and the prevalence of the severe form of MIH was 2.2%. There is a need for a properly planned preventive and restorative program with regard to the increasing prevalence of MIH.