Normative and perceived orthodontic needs among 12 year old school children in Chennai, India - a comparative study.

Four schools were selected randomly and all 12 year old children were included in the study. A total of 613 school children (334 boys and 279 girls) were examined. A self-administered pretested questionnaire about perceived need to have their teeth straightened was elicited. Clinical examination was carried using Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI). Chi-square test was done to test the association between normative orthodontic need and perceived orthodontic need. Minor or no anomaly was seen in 350 (57.1%) subjects of which 162 (46.3%) perceived orthodontic treatment, definite malocclusion was seen in 158 (25.8%) subjects of which 75 (47.5%) perceived orthodontic treatment, severe malocclusion was seen in 69(11.3) subjects of which 33 (47.8) perceived orthodontic treatment, handicapping malocclusion was seen in 36(5.9%) subjects of which 27(75%) perceived orthodontic treatment. The normative orthodontic needs and perceived orthodontic needs were statistically significant. The assessment of perceived need should be included in the epidemiological studies to the estimate demand for orthodontic treatment in particular regions.