Orthodontic examination of 2,301 Danish children aged 9–10 years in a community dental service

Orthodontic therapy in the Danish Child Dental Health Service is offered according to patient need. In general, systematic screenings of children in specific age groups are carried out to insure uniformity in selection of patients for orthodontic treatment. The screening described in this investigation was carried out among 2,301 3rd grade schoolchildren in order to diagnose symptoms of malocclusion at an early stage with regard to tooth formation, the aim being to evaluate the need for orthodontic observation, prophylactic measures or therapy. Each examination took approximately 3-4 min.