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Oral health-related quality of life and the IOTN index as predictors of children's perceived needs and acceptance for orthodontic treatment.

de Oliveira CM, Sheiham A, Tsakos G, O'Brien KD

Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, University of Manchester, Higher Cambridge Street, Manchester, M15 6FH. cmdeoliveira@hotmail.com

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether the index of orthodontic treatment need (IOTN) could be improved by adding an oral health-related quality of life measure to predict both the outcome of orthodontic consultation and the child's perceived need for orthodontic treatment. METHODS: The sample consisted of 187 children aged 11-16 years referred to orthodontic clinics in the Bedfordshire Personal Dental Service (PDS) in the United Kingdom. The children completed a questionnaire containing the Child Perception Questionnaire (CPQ11-14), were clinically examined and completed the Child-OIDP index in face-to-face interviews. Demographic information and perceived need for orthodontic treatment were also collected. Clinical data on orthodontic treatment need was collected using the IOTN. RESULTS: 49.3% of children reported one or more oral impacts. Combining the IOTN index with either of the two oral health-related quality of life measures used in this study did not predict outcome of consultation, however it explained children's perceived need for braces. There were some discrepancies between need according to the orthodontist and children's perceptions. CONCLUSIONS: Adding an oral health-related quality of life measure to IOTN did not influence prediction of outcome of consultation but it explained the prediction of perceived need for braces. Importantly, children with an impact were denied orthodontic treatment.

Published 22 April 2008 in Br Dent J, 204(7): 1-5; discussion 384-5.
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