Abstract
Introduction. The assessment of orthodontic treatment need and complexity are necessary for informed planning of orthodontic services. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to assess these parameters using the Index of Complexity, Outcome, and Need (ICON) in a Nigerian adolescent population in a region where orthodontic services are just being established. Methods. Six hundred and twelve randomly selected Nigerian adolescents aged 12 to 18 years were examined using the ICON in their school compounds. Descriptive statistics were employed in the data analysis. Results. Out of a total of 38.1% of the population found to need orthodontic treatment, there were more males and older adolescents. The overall mean ICON score for the population was 39.7 ± 25.3 SD with males having statistically higher mean ICON score. The grades of complexity of the population were 21.6% for very difficult and difficult, 7.5% moderate, and 70.9% mild/easy. Conclusions. Although just over a third of the adolescents were found to have a need for treatment, about a quarter of them were found to have difficult and very difficult complexity grades indicating a need for specialist care. The authors recommend the training of more specialist orthodontists in this region.
Highlights
The assessment of orthodontic treatment need and complexity are necessary for informed planning of orthodontic services
There are 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Rivers State of Nigeria Due to security concerns at the time this study was being carried out; permission was granted by the Rivers State Ministry of Education for 12 LGAs, comprising 2 urban and 10 rural, out of which six were selected by ballot, consisting of one urban LGA (Port Harcourt) and five rural LGAs: Ikwerre, Omumma, Tai, Okrika, and Asari-Toru
About thirty-eight per cent (38.1%) of the studied population had a need for orthodontic treatment with a mean ICON score of 39.7 ± 25.3
Summary
The assessment of orthodontic treatment need and complexity are necessary for informed planning of orthodontic services. The assessment of orthodontic treatment need and complexity is necessary for the planning of orthodontic services in any given population, as well as training programmes for specialists [1]. Occlusal indices, such as the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN) [2] and the Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI) [3] have been used successfully around the world to provide information on orthodontic treatment need in various communities. Complexity values are graded from easy to very difficult, depending on the score obtained
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