Comparison of malocclusion in preschool black and white children.

Previous research confirms ethnic and gender differences among children with malocclusions. A limited amount of information is available on preschool children. With an increasing interest in the early recognition of malocclusion and a corresponding emphasis on preventive procedures, more information on preschool children may prove to be useful. This study compared ethnic and gender differences for Angle's classification, anterior crossbite, and posterior crossbite. The sample consisted of 238 children, 3 to 5 years of age; 99 of the children were black and 139 were white. The acquired data were tested with chi(2). The results indicate significant racial differences in occlusal patterns and little or no gender difference.