Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the association between malocclusion, self-perception, self-esteem, and sociodemographic factors among primary schoolchildren in DAR es SALAAM, Tanzania. Methods: This was an analytical cross-sectional study that involved children aged 10-12 years from primary schools in DAR es SALAAM. A questionnaire was used to obtain information about the participants’,socio-demographics, self-perception and self-esteem. Clinical examination was done to determine their occlusal statuses. Data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 22. 0), and Chi-square test and logistic regression model were used to assess statistically significant differences between variables. P<0. 05 was considered as significant. Results: A total of 620 schoolchildren participated in this study. The overall prevalence of malocclusion was 66. 5%. Undesirable self-perception was reported in 34. 0% and self-esteem issues in 30. 0% of the schoolchildren. Significantly, many participants with less educated fathers had malocclusion compared with their counterparts (p=0. 002). Furthermore, most children with malocclusion perceived themselves negatively and reported lower self-esteem compared with those who had no malocclusion (78. 7% vs. 21. 3%, p=0. 000 and 75. 8% vs. 24. 2%, p=0. 001, respectively). In the logistic regression model, the presence of malocclusion remained as a significant determinant of schoolchildren perceiving themselves negatively and reporting lower self-esteem (OR: 2. 4, CI: 1. 62-3. 54, p= 0. 000 and OR: 1. 82, CI: 1. 23-2. 7, p= 0. 003, respectively). Conclusion: Conclusion: The presence of malocclusion was associated with children's negative self-perception and lower self-esteem. Malocclusion prevention and early interventions in children are highly recommended.