ABSTRACT
Beauty and aesthetics are subjective phenomenon. In orthodontics, beauty is collaborated with function and a compromised function is known to lead towards detrimental effects in the long term. The measurement of aesthetics in orthodontics is through the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need [IOTN]. This is a universal scale which is easy to use for all professionals dealing with child care. A cross-sectional validation study was conducted in the dental clinics of Karachi at Aga Khan University Hospital, Jinnah Medical and Dental College and Fatima Jinnah Dental College on a sample size of 17 professionals from July to August 2012. Each subject was shown a set of 32 pictures which they scored against the aesthetic component of the IOTN. The principal investigator assessed the normative score from the study casts using the IOTN-DHC. Data collected was analyzed using Kruskal- Wallis, Bland- Altmann, Paired sample t- test and Kappa Cohen's. Intra examiner reliability was assessed using Spearman's correlation. The sample size consisted of 24% males [mean age 28.25 +/- 2.06 years], and 76% females [[mean age 31.92 +/- 9.19 years]. A statistically significant difference was obtained between orthodontists', pedodontists' and restorative dentists perception for a single image [p- value 0.005]. Similarly a difference in perception of the three groups with normative need [p- value- 0.002 [orthodontists], 0.03 [pedodontists], 0.05 [restorative dentists]]; was also obtained.o There is no significant difference in perception between orthodontists, pedodontists and restorative dentists. Orthodontists, pedodontists and restorative dentists overestimate the patients' pretreatment condition as compared to normative treatment need