INTRODUCTION: The single classification of malocclusion is difficult and of limited value in dentofacial assessment due to the multifactorial and multivariate nature of malocclusion. In order to plan a strategy for orthodontic treatment, the prevalence of malocclusion in a population must be estimated.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of different classes of malocclusion among dental students at Moi University in Kenya.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted at the Moi University Faculty of Dentistry in Kenya among 40 dental students aged 18-25 years. It was a cross-sectional descriptive survey. Study cast models of the subjects were prepared from alginate impressions and used to classify the malocclusions using Angle's method. Chi square and independent t test were used to test the effect of sex on prevalence of malocclusion.
RESULTS: The overall prevalence of malocclusion was 87.5%.Class I malocclusion was the most prevalent at 70% followed by Class II Division 1 at 7.5% and Class III and Class II Division 2 at 5% each. Normal occlusion was present in 12.5% of the respondents. There were gender differences in the prevalence of malocclusion but these were not statistically significant (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The most prevalent class of malocclusion among the study sample was Class I Malocclusion while Class II Division 2 was the least prevalent