INTRODUCTION: The progressive increase in the rates of malocclusion has generated the need for knowledge of its prevalence, so that measures of health promotion and prevention can be developed. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between malocclusion and socioeconomic, demographic, habits and care in five years old children. MATERIAL AND METHOD:The sample consisted of 441 children under five registered in nine family health units for eastern region of São Paulo city. Oral examinations were conducted and applied structured questionnaire to parents with questions about demographic characteristics, socioeconomic relating to family and home issues and habits, care and hospitalization of the child. Data analysis consisted of bivariate analysis using Chi-square test followed by multiple logistic regression model. RESULT: Malocclusion was found in 41.7% of children. Those who used a pacifier for up to 2 years were 1.24 times more likely to have malocclusion than those who did not. Children who used a pacifier for more than 2 years were 4.08 times more likely to have malocclusion than those who did not. The sleeping open-mouthed had 1.72 times more likely to have malocclusion. Allergies or bronchitis were associated to a higher chance to develop malocclusion. CONCLUSION: The malocclusion is strongly associated with harmful habits, especially the use of pacifiers, and affects similarly children of different socioeconomic levels.
Breast feeding; malocclusion; sucking behavior