This study aims to determine which age assessment data using the third molar development values
(local or international) is suitable for estimating the age of Malays or Chinese in Malaysia. A sample of 60
panoramic images of Malays and Chinese aged between 13.58 to 21.25 years were selected. Different
assessment surveys which included the studies by Yusof et al. (2015), Wilson (2005), Johan et al. (2012),
Mincer et al. (1993), AlQahtani et al. (2010) and Gunst et al. (2003) were employed to estimate the age
from the developing third molar on the panoramic images studied. The estimated ages were compared
to the chronological age of the selected Malaysians. All the datas were then recorded on Microsoft Excel
sheet. The two observers were then subjected to the Intraclass Correlation Coeffecient (ICC) inter-observer
reliability test.The highest number of correspondence (65%) between the chronological and estimated age
(within one year) was for the survey conducted by Wilson. With regards to ethnicities, 70% of Chinese
matched the mean estimated age by Wilson while Malays showed a high correspondence for the study
by Mincer et al. (63.3%). Furthermore the ICC reliability test showed strong agreement between the two
observers. There were similarities between the Malay and Chinese population in the correspondence of
the estimated age to the chronological age employing the different dental estimation surveys; in addition
the study by Wilson and Mincer et al. yielded best matching for these Malaysians.