Perceived, desired, and normatively determined orthodontic treatment needs among orthodontically untreated Nigerian adolescents
Onyeaso, C.O.; Arowojolu, M.O.
West African Journal of Medicine 22(1): 5-9
2003
ISSN/ISBN: 0189-160X PMID: 12769296 Document Number: 563006
This study assessed the perceived, desired and normative need for orthodontic care in a randomly selected (n=567) Nigerian children aged 12-18 years (mean age, 14.6+or-1.5), in Ibadan city, Nigeria. Perceived and desired needs were collected using a pretested questionnaire. Normative need was assessed on all participants by one orthodontist using the Dental Aesthetic Index. There were 13.8% of the children having very severe or handicapping malocclusion, in which mandatory treatment was considered; 9.7% with severe malocclusion, in which treatment was highly desired; 19.0% having definite malocclusions, in which elective treatment was considered; and 57.5% had normal or minor malocclusions, with no treatment or slight treatment need. About 48.4% of the children desired orthodontic care, and 81.7% perceived the need for orthodontic care. No statistically significant gender differences (P>0.05) were observed in perceived, desired and normatively determined orthodontic treatment needs, as well as between socioeconomic backgrounds. Although considerable proportion of the adolescents perceived, desired and objectively needed orthodontic care, a discrepancy was observed as some who had near 'ideal occlusion' felt the need for treatment, while some who had handicapping malocclusion felt otherwise. Therefore, in orthodontic counselling of Nigerian adolescents, attention should be paid to how the child perceived his/her dentition.