Migration and Loss of First Molars Among Adolescents in Kuwait

Objective: Our purpose was to determine prevalence of mesial migration and/or loss of first molars and parameters associated with the conditions in 13-14-year-old 8th grade school children in Kuwait. Subjects and methods: Our sample of 1573 subjects was selected according to cluster sampling methods, defining students in the government schools of each administrative area as six different strata, and the students in private schools as the seventh stratum. Information on nationality, family income, and number of siblings was collected through subject and family interview. Any mesial migration or loss of first molars as well as visible caries was recorded in a well lit classroom. Results: A total of 185 subjects (12.6%) had mesial migration and/or loss of first molars. The majority (75.7%) had only one affected tooth, and 129 (69.7%) were affected only in the mandible, 44 (23.8%) only in the maxilla, and 12 (6.5%) in both arches (p<0.01). Logistic regression demonstrated that area was the only significant predictor, with the odds being 2.6 times (p=0.005), 2.5 times (p=0.009), and 2.2 times (p=0.02) higher for subjects attending government schools in Capital, Jahra and Ahmadi, respectively, than for subjects attending private schools, and that presence of caries was the only parameter associated with mesial migration and/or loss (OR=2.68, p<0.001) at time of examination. Nationality, gender, number of siblings, or family income was not included in the prediction and association models. Conclusions: About 12% of each age cohort of Kuwaiti school children is likely to have mesial migration and/or loss of one or more first molars at age 13-14 years with the current system of dental care delivery. Subjects attending private schools are less likely to be affected, and the conditions are likely to be associated with presence of unfilled caries lesions. Acknowledgements: This research was supported by Kuwait University Grant DD07/00.