Exploring the perception of orthodontic treatment need using the Dental Aesthetic Index and Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need.

Introduction: This study aimed to explore the perception of orthodontic treatment need by using the Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI) and the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN).

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on a representative random sample (N = 248) of adolescents aged 12 years. The DAI and both components of IOTN were used to evaluate malocclusion. The association between the Dental Health Component of the IOTN with gender and ethnic group were analyzed by chi-square test. The concordances between the indexes were analyzed by the kappa statistic, with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results: The prevalence of adolescents with high severity and orthodontic treatment need was 10.5% (95% CI, 6.7-14.3), 36.5% (95% CI, 32.3-44.3), and 73.4% (95% CI, 67.9-78.9) for the Aesthetic Component of the IOTN, Dental Health Component of the IOTN, and DAI, respectively. The indexes showed high agreement for the cases with low treatment need, whereas low concordance was observed for the cases with high treatment need.

Conclusions: The perception of orthodontic treatment need was assessed differently using DAI and IOTN.