Students’ orthodontic treatment needs and oral-health-related quality of life in Qazvin city, Iran

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Clinical indices that determine the need for orthodontic treatment do not provide information about the impact of malocclusion on the quality of life. The present study was carried out to assess the correlation between the aesthetic component of the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN) and the Child Perception Questionnaire (CPQ11-14) in determining the need for orthodontic treatment.METHODS: In 2015, 250 students between 11 to 14 years were randomly selected using a two-stage stratified cluster sampling and the total CPQ11-14 score was calculated. In addition, the self-perceived and normative needs were determined based on aesthetic component.RESULTS: A significant correlation existed only between the self-perceived needs and the score of functional limitations. In other domains, no significant correlation was seen between the self-perceived or normative need and CPQ11-14 scores. Girls had a higher score for mental well-being and total CPQ11-14 score than boys.CONCLUSION: The weak correlation between the total CPQ11-14 score and aesthetic component indicates that these indices have measured different characteristics. It seems that using the criteria of the Oral Health Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) in assessing the self-perceived need for orthodontic treatment, along with the normative needs, may provide an accurate estimate of the need for orthodontic treatment.