Correlation of Orthodontic Treatment Need With Self Esteem and Awareness of Children Using Socio-Dental Approach: A Cross Sectional Study

To correlate orthodontic treatment need with quality of life, self-esteem and awareness regarding malocclusion in school children and to find out prevalence of malocclusion in urban and rural areas in Haryana population.

A cross-sectional study was conducted in 1600 students aged 11 to 14 year in both genders from Haryana district schools to assess correlation of orthodontic treatment need with self-esteem and awareness of children using socio-dental approach. Clinical examination conducted during study was used to evaluate molar relationship, overjet and overbite, presence of dental irregularity in both arches during intraoral examination. Photographs were used to evaluate aesthetic component of The Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN) in all children. Following this a questionnaire had to be filled by each of them. Awareness and self-esteem of child was calculated from data compiled by this questionnaire information.

Overall prevalence of malocclusion was 92.5%; in urban population 93.5% and 91.6% in rural population. Class I malocclusion (39.3%) was higher than Class II (33.1%) and Class III (1.2%) malocclusion in urban as well as rural population. Males were found to have higher rate of malocclusion as compared to females in urban population and were more aware about malocclusion in comparison with rural males. No correlation seen between awareness, self-esteem in study population was observed.

Appearance of mouth and smile has significant impact on judgments regarding facial attraction. Aesthetic concern and its psychological impact represent descriptive component of self more than evaluative component, and therefore could not be determined as predictors of self-esteem.