PREVALENCE, RISK FACTORS, AND STRUCTURAL CHARACTERISTICS OF DENTOALVEOLAR ANOMALIES IN THE SCHOOL-AGED POPULATION OF KUTAISI.

BACKGROUND: Dentoalveolar anomalies represent a significant public health concern due to their high prevalence, multifactorial etiology, and impact on functional and aesthetic outcomes in children. The variability of prevalence and risk factors across regions highlights the need for localized epidemiological studies. AIM: To investigate the prevalence, nosological structure, and risk factors of dentoalveolar anomalies in the school-aged population of Kutaisi, as well as to identify region-specific characteristics and potential preventive targets. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 697 schoolchildren aged 7-14 years in Kutaisi using random sampling. Clinical examinations included anamnesis, visual inspection, and functional assessment, with classification based on ICD-10 criteria. In the second stage, a case-control study was performed including 154 children with dentoalveolar anomalies and 85 healthy controls. Associations between risk factors and outcomes were assessed using odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Statistical analysis was performed using Pearson's χ² test, with significance set at p<0.05. RESULTS: Dentoalveolar anomalies were identified in 56.1% of children. The most prevalent conditions were tooth position anomalies (52.4%), dental arch proportion anomalies (40.5%), and dentoalveolar functional anomalies (17.5%). Anomalies were more frequent in older age groups (10-15 years). Gender differences were not statistically significant, except for jaw size anomalies, which were more common in boys (p<0.05). The most frequent occlusal forms were distal occlusion, crossbite, and deep bite. Among risk factors, statistically significant associations were identified for maternal history of dentoalveolar anomalies (OR=1.99; p=0.038), prematurity (OR=3.85; p=0.024), frequent respiratory infections in early childhood (OR=4.78; p<0.001), allergic rhinitis (OR=3.20; p=0.031), mouth breathing/adenoid hypertrophy (OR=3.99; p<0.001), and inappropriate introduction of soft foods (OR=4.32; p=0.013). Socio-economic factors were not significantly associated with the outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Dentoalveolar anomalies are highly prevalent among schoolchildren in Kutaisi, with tooth position and dental arch anomalies being the most common. The findings confirm the multifactorial nature of these conditions, with both hereditary and modifiable risk factors playing significant roles. Early identification of at-risk children and implementation of preventive strategies, particularly targeting modifiable factors, are essential for reducing the burden of dentoalveolar anomalies.