prevalence of gingival stippling in 3-5 years old

Stippling, one of the signs of healthy gingiva, is assumed to be an adaptation providing gingival strength. The present study was designed to investigate the status of stippling in 3-5 years of age preshoolers in the city of Rasht. In this descriptive, cross sectional study,164 children(73 females and 91 males) were examined.The mean age of participants was 50.28 months. The study carried out as two –stage random sampling. The anterior part of jaws were examined for stippling by drying the area and observation with intense light. Those children with mental retardation, systemic disease, history of chronic medication, and also rampant caries and/or multiple abscesses and gingivitis were excluded.statistical analysis was performed using Chi square and Fisher Exact test. Among 164 subjects, stippling was found in 76 (46.3%):from which 51.3% were males and 48.7%females.Sex didnt show any influence on prevalence. Stippling was found significantly more in upper than lower jaw.The distribution was not symmetrical,with most situated on canine area.Regarding to age 32.8% of 3-4 years age and 67.2% of 4-5 years children showed stippling, and there was a direct positive relationship between stippling and age. The results revealed no significant relationship between age and gender in either jaw. Occurrence of stippling had significant relationship with age and jaw in both sexes. Lack of stippling alone can not be considered as gingival disease and other inflammatory signs should be evaluated.