Body Image in Preschool Children Following Premature Loss of Primary Teeth: A Cross-sectional Study

INTRODUCTION: Pediatric dentists often see a good number of children under 6 years of age and are likely to encounter a child with missing anterior teeth. Here the parents are more concerned about the facial esthetics of the child and also about the timing of permanent teeth to erupt. AIM: To know the impact on self-esteem or body image of preschool children following the premature loss of primary anterior teeth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present cross-sectional study was conducted among 780 children in the age group of 4–6 years. The COHIP-SF 19 was utilized to know the social well-being of the child following the premature loss of anterior teeth. The descriptive and inferential analysis of the data was done by using IBM SPSS software. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant association between gender and social well-being. More number of boys were concerned about their looks (p = 0.054). However, girls were found to be significantly more (p = 0.003) shy or withdrawn as compared to boys. There was a statistically significant association between a child's age and social well-being. More number of children between the ages of 4 years (23.1%) and 6 years (25.8%) were worried or anxious due to premature loss of an anterior tooth. Significantly more no of children of age 5 years (48.6%) was uncomfortable when asked about the missing tooth as compared to 4- and 6-year-old children. No statistically significant (p > 0.05) difference in the mean social well-being scores between boys and girls. No statistically significant difference in the mean social well-being scores between children of ages 4, 5, and 6 years (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: There is an association between the self-image of younger children and missing anterior teeth. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Acharya S, Biswas R. Body Image in Preschool Children Following Premature Loss of Primary Teeth: A Cross-sectional Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2022;15(3):293-298.