Prevalence of malocclusion and assessment of orthodontic treatment needs in an urban population in Poland: The SOPKARD-Junior program.

BACKGROUND

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), malocclusion is the most common oral disease in children after dental caries. Disorders pertaining to smile aesthetics and appearance can cause psychosocial problems and feelings of marginalization in children.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of malocclusion and to compare the need for orthodontic treatment in children treated with removable appliances and those who are not treated orthodontically.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

The study sample consisted of 653 children aged 9-12 years (349 boys and 304 girls) from a selected urban population in Poland. The clinical study was based on the evaluation of Angle's classification and analysis of other occlusal characteristics (overjet, overbite, crossbite, scissor bite, crowding, diastema, and midline shift). The assessment of orthodontic treatment needs was carried out according to the Dental Health Component of the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN-DHC).

RESULTS

In the sample group, 533 children (81.62%) were diagnosed with malocclusion. The most frequent diagnoses were class I malocclusions (43.80%) and class II malocclusions (35.99%), as well as crowding (37.98%). Among the children studied, 28.95% were receiving orthodontic treatment and using removable appliances. As many as half (50.26%) of the children treated with removable appliances exhibited no or minimal need for orthodontic treatment. The study revealed no significant association between the severity of patient's need for treatment and the probability of receiving orthodontic treatment with removable appliances.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of malocclusion in the studied population is high. However, not all children with a diagnosed malocclusion require orthodontic treatment. For an effective plan of orthodontic care and rational budgeting, it is recommended that appropriate indicators be used to identify individuals with the most severe malocclusions who are eligible for treatment.