Assessment of Psychosocial Impact of Dental Aesthetics and Self Perceived Orthodontic Treatment Need in Young Adults

The aim of this study was to assess the psychosocial impact of dental aesthetics using the ‘Psychosocial Impact of Dental Aesthetics Questionnaire’ (PIDAQ) and self-rated Aesthetic Component (AC) of the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN), and individual attitude to own teeth and general appearance. The cross sectional study was conducted among the students of Margalla Institute of Health Sciences (MIHS), Rawalpindi with age ranging from 18-25 years. Students were asked to complete a ‘Psychosocial Impact of Dental Aesthetic Questionnaire’ (PIDAQ). Total of five variables ‘Dental self-confidence, Social impact, psychosocial impact, Aesthetic concern & Patients Beliefs were evaluated by series of questions, and Dental Aesthetics was assessed by using of IOTN Aesthetic Component. The Kruskal-Wallis test was applied to determine differences between the mean scores for all the subject groups (1 to 4+). Chi square test was performed for patient beliefs. All the five variables showed significant correlation with perceived severity of malocclusion with p-value of less than 0.01. The association between self-rated IOTN-AC grading and psychosocial well-being was established, signifying that the self-perceived aesthetics may be a significant factor in defining treatment need as the degree of malocclusion itself.