The orthodontic treatment need and demand of Hong Kong Chinese children.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the need and demand for orthodontic treatment of Chinese school children in Hong Kong. METHODS: The material consisted of study casts and questionnaires collected from 765 randomly selected 12-year-old school children in Hong Kong. The need for orthodontic treatment was assessed by the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need, and questionnaires were used in assessing demand for orthodontic treatment. RESULTS: The results indicate that 12% of the 12-year-old school children had no need of orthodontic treatment, 18% had little need (Grade 2), 33% moderate need (Grade 3), 33% great need (Grade 4), and 4% of children had very great need for orthodontic treatment (Grade 5). About two thirds of the children were not satisfied with their dental appearance, but only 40% of these would like to have orthodontic treatment. A definite relationship was found between negative self-appraisal of dental appearance and demand for orthodontic treatment. CONCLUSION: The study demonstrates that the need of orthodontic treatment among Chinese children is similar to that of Caucasian children; the attitude and demand toward treatment are also similar.