Prevalence of Malocclusion and Treatment Needs of 12 Year Old School Children, Chennai Using the Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI)

Abstract

Study was conducted to assess the prevalence of malocclusion and treatment needs among 12-year old school children in Chennai using Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI). A cross sectional study done on school children aged 12 years attending different higher secondary schools in Chennai, India. Four schools were selected randomly and all 12 year old children were included in the study. A total of 613 school children (334 boys and 279 girls) were examined. Clinical examination was carried using Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI). Chi-square test was done to test the association between malocclusion and gender. 56.3% had a dental appearance which required no orthodontic treatment, 25.1% had a definite malocclusion, where treatment was 'elective' and 12.1 % had severe malocclusion and 6.2% had handicapping malocclusion, where treatment was considered to be highly desirable and mandatory. The difference in malocclusion severity level among boys and girls was not statistically significant (p = 0.684). The prevalence of definite and severe malocclusions was higher in the 12 years old school going children when compared to handicapping conditions in the present study. The need to implement preventive and interceptive orthodontic care is of utmost importance thereby improving the aesthetic perception and social function.