Prevalence of malocclusion among 12 to 15 years age group orphan children using dental aesthetic index.

OBJECTIVE The study was done to determine the prevalence of malocclusion and orthodontic treatment among orphan children. MATERIALS AND METHODS The sample consisted of 165 orphan children aged between 12 and 15 years. A clinical examination was used to determine the orthodontic treatment need according to the Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI). The statistical software namely SPSS version 15.0 was used for the analysis different parameters as gender and age. RESULTS The prevalence of definite, severe and very severe malocclusion was more among males than females and it increased with age. 16.4% subjects needed orthodontic treatment ranging from slight to mandatory form. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE The prevalence and severity of malocclusion was more among orphan children as they are deprived of healthy lifestyle. So, they should be identified and corrective measures instituted at the earliest to prevent a widespread impact on their psychological development.