RESUMEN
Since the health of children living in orphanages is related to the health policies implemented in those centers, evaluation of their health status, at least annually, can reveal the shortcomings and help to correct them. The purpose of this study was to determine dental treatment needs in 6-12-year old children in Mashhad orphanages. This cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out on all 6-12-year old children [137 children] in Mashhad orphanages. Prevalence and severity of dental caries [using DMFT/dmft index], dental treatment need [using UTN index], gingival health status [using MGI index], and oral health status [using PI index] were evaluated. The data were analyzed using chi-square, and Mann-Whitney tests. 42% of children were male and 58% were female. 73.7% and 43.8% of children had some types of treatment needs in their primary and permanent teeth respectively. The mean DMFT was 1.37 +/- 1.61 [1.38 +/- 1.64 in girls and 1.36 +/- 1.57 in boys]. The mean dmft was 3.4 +/- 2.7[3.2 +/- 2.47 in girls and 3.61 +/- 3.0 in boys]. 57.2% had poor oral health status [PI index]. 67% had moderate and severe gingivitis [MGI index]. caries experience, especially in primary dentition was high in terms of prevalence and severity and most of the children had some types of treatment need. Effective oral health promotion strategies need to be implemented to improve the oral health of children living in orphanages