PREVALENCE OF MALOCCLUSION AND ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT NEEDS AMONG 12 - 13 YEAR OLD SCHOOL GOING CHILDREN IN CHENNAI CITY, TAMILNADU, INDIA

INTRODUCTION: Considerable importance is placed on dental aesthetics and both parents and their children feel a pleasant dental appearance is an important factor for physical well being. Malocclusion has a large impact on an individual in particular and society at large in term of discomfort, quality of life, social and functional limitations. METHODS: With the aim to assess the prevalence of malocclusion and orthodontic treatment needs among 12 - 13 year old school going children in Chennai city, TamilNadu, using Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI). A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 1800, 12 - 13 year old school going children in Chennai city, using Dental Aesthetic Index. Chennai city was divided into 3 zones based on its parliamentary constituency - North Chennai, Central Chennai, and South Chennai. Schools were selected using lottery method in each zone. All the children who were present on the day of examination were examined. Data was collected using a pre-tested questionnaire and Dental Aesthetic Index components. The collected data was subjected to statistical analysis. RESULTS: Among the 1,800 children examined, 906 (50.5%) were males, and 894 (49.5%) were females. 86.9% of the children felt that they had nice looking teeth while 8.4% felt that they needed orthodontic treatment. 78.9% (1421) children had a DAI score of ≤ 25 representing no or minor malocclusion requiring no or little treatment, 15.8% (285) had DAI scores of 26-30 indicating definite malocclusion requiring elective treatment, 4.7% (85) had DAI scores of 31-35 representing severe malocclusion requiring highly desirable treatment and 0.6% (9) had DAI scores ≥ 36 indicating handicapping malocclusion requiring mandatory treatment. CONCLUSIONS: While 78.9 % children required no or little treatment, 21.1% had definite malocclusion requiring definite orthodontic treatment. Prevalence of malocclusion was significantly more in males when compared to females.