<![CDATA[Stunting is a condition of chronic malnutrition that can affect children's physical growth and cognitive development. Toroh is a district in Grobogan, Central Java, listed among areas with nutritional problems, including stunting. The purpose of this study was to determine the differences in tooth maturation between stunted and non-stunted children aged 6-9 years in Toroh District. An observational, cross-sectional study was conducted on 27 stunted and 27 normal children aged 6-9 years. The nutritional status was assessed based on height-for-age (H/A), using the WHO 2007 growth curve and the Maternal and Child Health (KIA) book. Stunting was assessed when the H/A of the child was less than -2 SD and the KIA book showed a history of the H/A being always under -2 SD; and normal when the H/A was between -2 SD and +2 SD, with a history (KIA book) of no experience of H/A under -2 SD. Permanent tooth maturation was assessed using the Demirjian method on panoramic radiographs. The result was analyzed using an independent t-test at a 95% confidence level. The results indicated that the mean dental maturation score of stunted children in all age groups was significantly lower (p < 0.05) than that of normal children. Girls exhibited a higher mean dental maturation score than boys in both stunted and normal groups. It may be concluded that stunted children had delayed dental maturation compared with normal children in Toroh District, Grobogan Regency, Central Java.]]>
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