Understanding the IOTN.

Throughout our professional lives, we will be asked the question: “will I need braces?” A self-conscious teenager might ask, but what a worried parent may really be wondering is: “will my child be eligible for treatment within the HSE?” The modified Index of Treatment Need (IOTN) guidelines for eligibility were introduced in the HSE in 2007 as a way to assess orthodontic need objectively rather than subjectively. This article aims to offer a visual guide to simplify the IOTN guidelines on eligibility for referral to the HSE and aid general practitioners to offer advice to their patients and refer appropriately. A healthy smile starts at home with good habits regarding diet, snacks, drinks and brushing, which are key to a healthy dental future. Only patients with good oral hygiene and dental health are eligible for orthodontic treatment.