Orthodontic status and treatment need of 13 to 15 year-old children in Kwa-Zulu Natal South Africa: An epidemiology study using the Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI)

Abstract

The prevalence of malocclusion among school going children in KwaZulu-Natal remains poorly defined despite the known physiological and psychological impact of this dental occurrence. The aim and objectives of this study was to determine the prevalence of malocclusion and possible treatment need in 13-15 year-old school going children in Durban, Kwa-Zulu Natal. This was a descriptive, cross-sectional epidemiological study conducted on 270 school-going children aged 13 to 15 years, in the Umlazi and Pinetown school districts. A two-staged clustered and systematic random sampling technique was used to draw the study sample. Data was collected through an intraoral examination of occlusal status and the malocclusion and orthodontic treatment need was assessed through use of the Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI). Questionnaires were developed to collect information on the learners’ health status and socio demographic profile. The results indicated that 144 (53.3%) of the 270 learners had DAI scores <25 (no abnormality or minor malocclusion not requiring orthodontic treatment); 26 learners (9.6%) had DAI scores of between 26-30 (definite malocclusion requiring elective orthodontic treatment); 59 learners (21.9%) had DAI scores of between 31-35 (severe malocclusion requiring orthodontic treatment); and 41 learners (15.2%) had DAI scores >36 (very severe or handicapping malocclusion requiring mandatory orthodontic treatment). There was an increase in the proportion of malocclusion in older children. The age group of 15 years old had a mean and standard deviation of 30.02+8.9 when compared to the age group 13 years old (27.76+12.17). The association between gender distribution and severity of malocclusion was found to be statistically significant (p=0.01). The present study primarily indicated a significant prevalence of malocclusion in the identified children. Although 53.3% of children did not require treatment, 37.1% presented with severe and handicapping malocclusion. This suggests a definite and mandatory treatment need for this group of children. The study could provide useful baseline epidemiological data that could inform oral health planning on the prevalence of malocclusion and orthodontic treatment need for 13-15 year-old school going children in the identified geographical area.

The Need for Orthodontic Treatment in the Egyptian Child Population of Beni -Suef

“…This age range allows for early detection of malocclusion and subsequently early intervention which permits better resource allocation. [24] Regarding the AC of IOTN, the results of the present study displayed that 75.8% of the examined population showed no or slight need for orthodontic treatment, 7% demonstrated moderate or borderline need and 17.2% revealed definite orthodontic treatment need. Concerning the DHC of IOTN, 28.5% of the examined children showed no need for orthodontic treatment, 36.9% displayed mild /little need, 7.3% exhibited moderate/ borderline need, 25.8% demonstrated severe need and 1.5% manifested an extreme need for orthodontic treatment.…”

The prevalence of Brodie bite in untreated orthodontic patients in Nigeria

“…[ 16 27 ] While the studies by Grewe and Hagan are older studies, more recent ones have focused on the prevalence rates of posterior crossbite without identifying the BRB. [ 19 28 29 ] In this study, the rarity of the BRB was inferred from the low values over the 3-year period, which were 0.5% in Benin City and 2.3% in Abuja, Nigeria. This disparity could be attributed to the larger sample size of the untreated orthodontic patients in one of the geo-political zones.…”

“…Most studies have identified only the presence of a posterior crossbite. Drummond[ 19 ] reported a prevalence of 10.4% in a South African population, whereas in an Indian population, a prevalence of 5.5% was reported by Nainani and Relan. [ 29 ] These studies,[ 19 28 29 ] however, had recorded posterior crossbites and not BRBs, which are more uncommon.…”

“…Drummond[ 19 ] reported a prevalence of 10.4% in a South African population, whereas in an Indian population, a prevalence of 5.5% was reported by Nainani and Relan. [ 29 ] These studies,[ 19 28 29 ] however, had recorded posterior crossbites and not BRBs, which are more uncommon. The prevalence of posterior crossbite observed in this study was 12.5%, which is higher than the values obtained from a South African study[ 19 ] but much lower than the prevalence of 26% from a Rwandan study.…”

“…[ 15 ] Numerous studies have been conducted on posterior crossbite, and BCBs and LCBs have been identified in several countries. [ 7 16 17 18 19 ] Multiple studies are available on posterior crossbite in our environment; however, none have determined the prevalence of a BRB. [ 20 21 22 23 24 25 ] Although many previous studies have provided data on the prevalence of posterior crossbites, only one study has identified the presence of scissors bite in the population studied.…”