RESUMO
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate 16 to 22-year-old young adults' perception of malocclusion, dental health and aesthetic firstly. To investigate the perception differences between young adults and orthodontists, and factors on perception difference.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A sample of 16 to 22-year-old young adults was selected randomly in Department of Stomatology, Hospital of Nanjing Army Command College. A questionnaire, which consisted of socioeconomic status, index of orthodontic treatment need and dental health component (DHC) questionnaire, was proposed to them. Index of orthodontic treatment need comprised aesthetic component (AC) and DHC. An orthodontist measured orthodontic dental models of participants. Participants chose AC degree and DHC degree by their subjective perception. An orthodontist chose AC degree and DHC degree by their objective measurement.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>71.08% and 70.59% of 204 participants respectively chose 'no need treatment' of AC degree and DHC degree by their subjective perception. 19.12% and 9.80% of participants were respectively chosen 'no need treatment' of AC degree and DHC degree by orthodontist's objective measurement. Objective measurement degree of orthodontist was higher than subjective perception degree of participants. Subjective perception of participants was little related to objective measurement of orthodontists. AC degree of male participants' subjective perception was lower than the female. DHC degree of urban participants' subjective perception was higher than the rural. DHC and AC degree of only child participants' subjective perception was higher than non-only child.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Perception about malocclusion, dental health and aesthetic had significant difference between 16 to 22-year-old young adults and orthodontists. Young adults tended to think that their teeth were more beautiful and healthy. The female young adults than the male tended to think that their teeth were not enough beautiful. Urban young adults were more unsatisfactory about their dental health than the rural. Only child young adults were more unsatisfactory about their dental aesthetic and health than the non-only child.</p>