Orthodontic concerns of Brazilian children and their parents compared to the normative treatment need

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the interest of both children and parents towards orthodontic treatment and compare it to the normative treatment need as well as to determine the factors related to such an interest. The sample consisted of 407 schoolchildren aged between 9 and 12 years and their parents from Nova Friburgo (Rio de Janeiro), Brazil. The orthodontic concern expressed by children and parents was obtained by means of a questionnaire. The normative need was evaluated using two components of the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN). Data analysis involved multiple logistic regression. Normative treatment need was greater than the children's self-perceived treatment need. The parents expressed more interest towards orthodontic treatment of their children than the children themselves. The orthodontic concern expressed by both groups was greater than the normative need for orthodontic treatment, and such a finding was associated with gender of the children (female) and self-perceived treatment need expressed by them. The lack of a relationship between the normative treatment need and the orthodontic concern of children and parents shows that such assessments should be performed when orthodontic treatment is indicated, particularly in terms of public health, as the demand is greater than the services supplied.