Background: Sickle cell disease is an autosomal recessive hemoglobinopathy predominant among Afrodescendants, and has been categorized as a public health issue as it affects a significant percentage of the world’s population. The objective of this study was to determine the association between malocclusion and sickle cell disease in a sample of Sudanese children compare to healthy controls children. Methods: Malocclusion traits was recorded for 212 sickle cell disease children aged 315 years old, matched with 212 control healthy children in Khartoum, Sudan. Statistical analysis was done using statistical software SPSS 17.5 version. Chi square test was used for the comparison of study and control groups, the level of significance was set at p<0.05. The relative risk was estimated for malocclusion. Results: Malocclusion was significantly higher in sickle cell disease children than healthy control children. The common malocclusion traits were Angle’s Class II with increased over jet followed by anterior open bite. The malocclusion traits and relative risk were significantly more among sickle cell disease individuals 1214 years old compared to the control group. Conclusion: Sudanese sickle cell disease children had high prevalence of malocclusion than healthy children. Early recognition of malocclusion, preventive and interceptive dental treatment was recommended.

Keyworld: Sickle Cell; Malocclusion; Children.