ABSTRACT
Orthodontic treatment need and demand in 12-year-olds in Abadeh city has not previously been analysed in relation to geographic origin. The purpose of this study was to assess the12 year old students need and demand for orthodontic treatment. Four hundred seventeen 12-year-old students was selected from public and private schools in Abade [Fars province, Iran]. All the students were examined according to the AC and DHC component of Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need [IOTN] by a trained dentist. Students' and parents' perceived needs were also assessed using AC component and their demand for orthodontic treatment was asked through a questionair. Twenty two percent of the students were in "no need of treatment" group when assessed by DHC component, 29.5% were in "average need" and 48.2% were in "definite need" group. When assessed by AC score, these percents were 61.9%, 29%, and 9.1%. Parents and students percieved need for definite orthodontic treatment according to AC score was 8.6% and 7.7%, respectively. The students and their parents' demand for treatment were 40.6% and 44. 9%, respectively. Orthodontic treatment need in Abade is higher in comparison with other reports according to DHC. DHC is not correlated with orthodontic treatment demand of 12 years old students, but AC had a strong relationship with treatment demand