Introduction

            This study was designed to compare the orthodontic treatment needs as assessed by parents and the normative treatment need as determined by an orthodontist in a north Indian population

Materials and Methods

            200 (112 girls and 88 boys, between 11 and 18 years) new patients were scored for DHC and AC of IOTN .The DHC was evaluated by an orthodontist. The AC was scored both by the patient‘s parents (one or both together) and by the orthodontist independently. The scores were subjected to statistical analysis to study the co–relation between the AC scores of the IOTN and the characteristics of the patients as well as compare the difference between orthodontist‘s and parents’ AC score.

Results

            In 71% subjects, a definite need for orthodontic treatment (DHC grades 4 and 5), in 15.8% subjects, a borderline need (DHC grade 3) and in 13.2 % subjects, little need (DHC grades 1 and 2) was recorded. According to the orthodontist , 52.5 % of the patients had a severe need (AC grades 8–10), while 16.0%displayed a borderline need (AC grades 5–7) and 31.5%displayed little (AC grades 1–4) need for treatment. In contrast, 35.5% of parents scored their children‘s malocclusion as severe, 20.5% as borderline, and 44.0% as normal or with a minimal malocclusion.

Conclusions

            Compared with the orthodontist‘s score, parents considered that their children had a lower aesthetic need. Parents as well as patients should be educated regarding the evidence base for orthodontic treatment needs as clearly as possible, so that a well informed treatment plan may be designed for the patient.