ABSTRACT
CONTEXT: The people around the world are concerned about the aesthetic oral-facial structures as it is more important in interpersonal interactions and dictates vocal, physical, and emotional communication. AIMS: The present study was conducted to assess the severity of malocclusion and orthodontic treatment need among 12-15-year-old school children of Patna, Eastern India. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A cross-sectional study design was used to assess the severity of malocclusion using Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI) index among 12-15-year-old school-going children. METHODS AND MATERIAL: A specially prepared and pretested format, exclusively designed for recording all the required and relevant general information and other clinical findings was used in the study. The sample size consisted of 902 children from middle schools (Government and Private) in Patna. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Chi-square test was done for the categorical data to compare differences between two independent groups. Data were presented as Mean ± SD and "P" value of less than 0.05 was accepted as indicating significance. RESULTS: Around 5.3% had a DAI score of ≤25 which signifies that there is "no abnormality or may have minor malocclusion"; 15.3% had a DAI score of 26-30 which signifies that there is "definite malocclusion"; 6% had a DAI score of 31-35 which signifies that there is "severe malocclusion" and 4% had a DAI score of ≥36 which signifies that there is "very severe or handicapping malocclusion". The finding was more commonly seen among 14 years age group. CONCLUSIONS: It can be concluded from the present study that the prevalence of malocclusion is reasonable high in this part of the region, and it is very important to bring in more awareness at the school level as primary prevention can be the most effective tool in control this menace.
