OBJECTIVES: determine the prevalence of malocclusions and functional alterations of the stomatognathic system among students seem by a Health Family Team in Juazeiro do Norte. METHODOLOGY: it was a cross sectional studies involving the area of the Health Unit 20 of the Family Health Program in Juazeiro do Norte. The study population was 704 children aged from 6 to 12 years old. The sample considered a power of 95% confidence interval. The community health workers randomly identified 84 children. Their oclusal and functional clinical patterns were evaluated. The stomatognathic system was classified in normal (occlusion and functions normal) and altered (malocclusion and/or functional alteration). The occlusal pattern was separated in antero-subsequent, transverse and vertical relationships. The functional pattern was divided in breathing and swallowing. Qui-square and Fisher's test were used to assess statistical significance. RESULTS: 77,3% and 72,6% of the children presented malocclusions and altered functional pattern, respectively. 59,52% presented alteration in both patterns. 45,2% presented vertical alterations, 60,7% transverse alterations and 20,2% antero-subsequent alterations. 60,7% had breathing alterations and 47,6% had altered swallowing. There was association statistically significant between the vertical relationship and the two functions (p<0,001) and between the transverse relationship and the breathing function (p <0,05). CONCLUSIONS: the prevalence of malocclusion and functional alterations were high, 77,3% and 72,6%, respectively. There was a strong association between the vertical relationship and the evaluated functions (breathing and swallowing)
Prevalence; Malocclusion; Functional alterations; Health Family Program
