Age of eruption of deciduous dentition of Anga children, Papua New Guinea.

The emergence of deciduous dentition has been reported to be slower in non-Europeans than Europeans at the earlier but not later stages, and to be little affected by nutritional status. Emergence of deciduous dentition is reported for 135 young Anga children of the highland fringe of Papua New Guinea, and compared with their nutritional status as assessed by stature for age, and weight for stature. Emergence is delayed relative to European (Canadian) reference values in all but the last deciduous teeth to emerge. It is also delayed relative to other populations in Papua New Guinea for the mid-range of deciduous teeth to emerge. This later mid-range emergence may be related to the very poor nutritional status of Anga children.