Background: A malocclusion is an irregularity of the teeth or a malrelationship of the dental arches beyond the range of what is accepted as normal.Objectives: To determine the prevalence of malocclusion in children aged 10-12 years in Kozhikode district of Kerala, South India.Materials and methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among schoolchildren aged 10-12 years in six schools in Kozhikode district of Kerala, South India. A total of 2,366 children satisfied the inclusion criteria. Occlusal characteristics like crossbite, open bite, deep bite, protrusion of teeth, midline deviations, midline diastema and tooth rotation were recorded. The data were tabulated and analyzed using Chi-square test.Results: The results revealed that the overall prevalence of malocclusion was 83.3%. Of this, 69.8% of the children had Angle’s class I malocclusion, 9.3% had class II malocclusion (division 1 = 8.85%, division 2 = 0.5%) and 4.1% had class III malocclusion; 23.2% showed an increased overjet (>3 mm), 0.4% reverse overjet, 35.6% increased overbite (>3 mm), 0.29% open bite, 7.2% crossbite with 4.6% crossbite of complete anterior teeth, 63.3% deviation of midline, 0.76% midline diastema and 3.25% rotated tooth. No significant differences in gender distributions of malocclusions were noted except for increased overjet and overbite.Conclusion: There is high prevalence of malocclusion among schoolchildren in Kozhikode district of Kerala. Early interception and early correction of these malocclusions will eliminate the potential irregularities and malpositions in the developing dentofacial complex.How to cite this article: Narayanan RK, Jeseem MT, Kumar TVA. Prevalence of Malocclusion among 10-12-year-old Schoolchildren in Kozhikode District, Kerala: An Epidemiological Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2016;9(1):50-55.

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Aim:To evaluate and compare the retention ability, anticaries effect and marginal discoloration when sealed with a glass ionomer-based sealant (Fusion i-seal) and a resin-based fissure sealant (Helioseal-F) on permanent first molars. Materials and methods: Caries free, fully erupted permanent first molars of 50 children between 6 years and 8 years were sealed with pit and fissure sealants under rubber dam isolation. Glass ionomer-based sealant was applied on a permanent first molar and the contralateral molar with resin-based sealant. The sealants were evaluated at regular intervals for a period of 1 year. Statistical analysis was done by Chi-square test. Results: Higher retention rates were noted for resin-based sealant (88%) compared to glass ionomer-based sealant (78%). None of the teeth sealed with resin sealant developed caries whereas 2% of teeth sealed with glass ionomer sealant developed caries. Marginal discoloration was not noted in teeth sealed with glass ionomer sealant whereas slight marginal discoloration was noted for 6% of teeth sealed with resin sealant. Conclusion: Clinically a difference was noted in the retention rate, anticaries effect and marginal discoloration whereas statistically no significant difference was noted for the two sealants after 1 year. Clinical significance: Pit and fissure sealants are highly effective and economical in preventing occlusal caries in young permanent tooth with low failure rate. 554compared with the retention and anticaries properties of a resinbased fissure sealant (Helioseal-F).