The objective and subjective outcome of orthodontic care in one municipal health center

Abstract

Objective . The aim of this study was to assess the outcome of orthodontic care in one municipal health center. Materials and methods. The material consisted of one age-cohort of 15–16 year-old adolescents (n = 67). Of them, 97% participated in a clinical examination. The final group included in the study consisted of 61 adolescents (91% of the whole age cohort). The occlusions were evaluated applying the Occlusal Morphology and Function Index (OMFI), the Dental Health Component (DHC) and the Aesthetic Component (AC) of the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN). Moreover, all adolescents filled in a semi-structured questionnaire enquiring about their satisfaction with the function and appearance of their own dentition and self-perceived orthodontic treatment need. They also scored their own dental appearance on a Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Results. Of the adolescents, 42% had received orthodontic treatment, while 58% were untreated. All morphological criteria of the OMFI were met by 58% of orthodontically treated and 49% of untreated adolescents and all functional criteria by 67% and 57%, respectively. Treatment need was registered in two of the treated adolescents (7%) and five of the untreated adolescents (14%). Treated adolescents were more often satisfied with their dental appearance than untreated adolescents (p = 0.034). In both groups, satisfaction with the function was high (93%). Conclusions. Orthodontic treatment seems to improve both occlusal morphology and function. The high satisfaction with one's own dental appearance among the treated adolescents is worth noting.

Key Words::

• occlusal function
• occlusal morphology
• OMFI
• orthodontic treatment need

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank the personnel in the health center in question for their positive attitude and kind help in organizing this study.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.