Caries experience in children with molar–incisor hypomineralisation in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates and its association with hypomineralised teeth number

Molar–incisor hypomineralisation (MIH) has been found associated with an increase in dental caries. Studies utilising the recent MIH diagnosis and calibration criteria recommended by the EAPD in 2021 are very scarce. Additionally, the available data in literature about the relationship between the hypomineralised teeth number (HTN) and caries come from only one study.

To assess the relationship between MIH and caries experience among children in the city of Fujairah, UAE, utilising the recent criteria recommended by the European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry (EAPD) in 2021, and to assess the relationship between the number of teeth affected with MIH, and dental caries.

One hundred and sixty-two children were included in this cross-sectional study, aged 7–9 years old. Children were examined for MIH according to Ghanim et al. (Eur Arch Paediatr Dent 16:235–246, 2015. 10.1007/s40368-015-0178-8) criteria and Ghanim et al. (Eur Arch Paediatr Dent 18:225–242. 10.1007/s40368-017-0293-92017) training manual. Caries experience was assessed with decayed, missing, filled (dmft, DMFT) scoring system.

dmft mean was 6.56 (SD ± 3.78) and DMFT mean was 0.91 (SD ± 1.23). Children with MIH had significantly higher dmft (p = 0.003) scores. Children with higher HTN had significantly higher dmft (p = 0.008) scores.

Children in Fujairah have extremely high caries scores. Children with MIH have more decayed, missing and filled teeth. Hypomineralised teeth number was positively associated with caries experience.