Evaluation of disparities in physical development and dental age of two specific groups of boys.

AIM The aim of the study was to investigate potential differences between the physical development and the dental age in two groups of male pupils from two schools with different socio-economic profiles in the city of Torun (Poland). MATERIALS AND METHODS A total number of 286 school boys (age: 9-12 years) was examined: Group A consisted of 104 pupils of a private school (mean age: 10.36-/+0.1 years), group B were 182 normally intellectually developed, non-handicapped pupils (10.59-/+0.1 years) of a therapeutic school for children with specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, dysgraphy, ADHD or severe speech disorders. The parameters of the physical development (body height, body weight) and the dental age assessed by eruption were evaluated based on a biological frame of reference and percentile charts. RESULTS The two groups showed distinct disparities in physical and dental development: the mean values of body height were significantly higher in group A than group B (p<0.02). In addition, differences in percentile distributions of body height, body mass and dental age showed statistical significance (p<0.001, 0.01 and 0.01, respectively). The relationship between body height/body mass and dental age was not statistically significant (p>0.3). CONCLUSION The pronounced disparities concerning physical and dental development within boys of different socio-demographic background should be taken into account by health professionals. No correlation was found between physical and dental development.