Methods: A transversal and analytical assessment was carried out in a population of 202 children; 100 indigenous Pemón preschoolers and 102 preschool children of the Capital Region. The statistical analysis was based on the Chi square test and the logistic regression model.
Results: The results showed that 90% of the Pemón children studied were breastfed for a period of 6 months or more, while only 25% of city children were; 90% of the pemon children studied had a straight profile, 100% had normal palatal depth, 89% had normocclusion and a normal anterior bite, while 56% of city children had a straight profile, 48% normal palatal depth, 43% had normocclusion, and 51% had anterior open bite. Accordingly, the logistic regression model showed that the risk, for those breastfed for 6 months or less, is 13 times higher regarding the development of distocclusion, 4 times higher to develop a convex profile, and 3 times the risk of an anterior open bite, when compared to children breastfed for longer periods of time.
Conclusion: We suggest the period of breastfeeding of 6 months or more represents a protection factor for dentobuccomaxillofacial alterations.