Prevalence and Pattern of Malocclusion among Urban and Rural School-Age Children: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Malocclusion is a common dental problem among school-age children and can adversely affect oral function, aesthetics, and psychosocial well-being. The prevalence and type of malocclusion may vary with age, gender, and geographic location. Objective: To determine the prevalence and pattern of malocclusion among urban and rural school-aged children (6–15 years) in Faridpur District Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 150 school children aged 6–15 years in Faridpur, including 69 boys and 81 girls from both urban and rural areas. Data were collected through clinical examination based on Angle's classification. Statistical analysis was performed using chi-square tests to determine the significance of gender and area differences. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Among the 150 participants, 95 (63.33%) had malocclusion and 55 (36.67%) had normal occlusion. Malocclusion was slightly more prevalent in girls (64.20%) than in boys (62.32%), with the difference being statistically significant (p = 0.041). Class I malocclusion was the most common (60.67%), followed by Class II (29.33%) and Class III (10.00%). Increased overbite (57.33%) and dental crowding (53.33%) were the most frequently observed malocclusion traits. Other traits included increased overjet (29.33%), spacing (27.33%), crossbite (11.33%), and open bite (5.33%). Comparison with Indian and Pakistani studies showed similarity in trends, particularly with Indian data. Conclusion: The study reveals a high prevalence of malocclusion among school-aged children in Faridpur, with a dominance of Class I malocclusion and traits such as increased overbite and crowding. Girls showed a slightly higher prevalence than boys.