Assessment of the correlationship of self-perception of dental appearance, smile, and willingness to undergo treatment among school children with dental esthetic index at Thiruchengode

Aim: The aim of the survey was to assess the correlation of DAI with self-perception of smile, self-assessment of dental appearance and desire to uptake treatment. Methods: 400 school children aged 12-15 years from Thiruchengode were clinically examined using DAI. Subjective assessment of their smile and dental appearance and desire of treatment uptake were elicited by 10-point questionnaire. Correlation of clinical assessment and variables of subjective assessment were analyzed using Chi square test and Kappa statistics. Results: A statistically significant correlation was present between DAI and self-perception of dental appearance and also between DAI and their dental appearance when compared with the peer group. DAI score presented only 4.8% of children needed mandatory treatment. Distribution of children dissatisfaction of dental appearance was significant and no significant relation on willingness to uptake treatment. Conclusion: A wide range of school children perceived dissatisfaction of their appearance but their desire to uptake the orthodontic treatment was not significant.