Orthodontic treatment need and self-perception of malocclusion among nepalese young adults

Introduction: The objective of this study was to investigate the need of orthodontic treatment among young Nepalese adults by determining and comparing the threshold of esthetic impairment where orthodontic treatment would be sought by a sample of Nepalese Dental and Nursing students. Methods: Using the 10-grade esthetic component (AC) scale of the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN), 250 university students (100 dental and 150 nursing students) selected the level of esthetic impairment that represented the point at which they would seek orthodontic treatment. A questionnaire was answered by both the sample populations. The results obtained were compared between both groups. Results: The AC photograph Grade 4 and Grade 5 were found to be the most commonly selected threshold photographs by the nursing students and the dental students, respectively. Subjects who visited the dentist every 6 months, in both groups, were more likely to choose a threshold photograph closer to the attractive end of the scale. Conclusion: The information regarding the need and demand of orthodontic treatment allows a treatment priority to be set up to allocate appropriate resources. This study, using dental and nursing students suggests that as currently used the AC does not reflect the Nepalese general society's esthetic expectations. The results indicate that the esthetic expectations of the dental and nondental professionals differ so when using the AC of the IOTN the “no need for treatment” category should be Grades 1–3 of the AC, rather than Grades 1–4.