Aim: This cross-sectional study was to investigate correlations between molar incisor hypomineralisation (MIH), dental caries and child dental fear.
Materials and methods: The subjects in the study were representative samples of 8 and 14 year old children from three Greek cities (total N = 2335). Dental examinations were performed by one calibrated examiner in classrooms, after the children had brushed their teeth, using an intraoral mirror and artificial room light supplemented by a penlight. All the children completed the children's fear survey schedule-dental subscale (CFSS-DS) questionnaire. MIH scores were recorded using EAPD criteria and dental caries experience by DMFS/dmfs index. Data were analysed with the Chi-squared (χ (2)), Mann-Whitney and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient tests.
Results: The mean DMFS in children with MIH (8-year olds: 1.60 ± 2.01, 14-year olds: 4.60 ± 4.41) was statistically significantly higher than children without MIH (8-year olds: 1.01 ± 1.78, 14-year olds: 3.46 ± 4.28) (p < 0.001 for both age groups). Children with severe MIH had statistically significantly higher mean DMFS scores than children with mild or no MIH (p < 0.001), while the dmfs of the 8 year olds were unrelated to their MIH status (p = 0.332). Caries experience was associated with the MIH status of the first permanent molars in both age groups (p < 0.001). The mean CFSS-DS scores did not differ significantly between the groups of children without (26.2 ± 9.9) or with MIH (26.5 ± 9.6) (p = 0.339), regardless of MIH severity.
Conclusions: A positive association between MIH and dental caries was confirmed and a lack of association found between MIH and dental fear in Greek children.
Keywords: Dental caries; Dental fear; MIH.