Effect of socioeconomic status on normative and perceived orthodontic treatment need.

Objective: To determine the influence of socioeconomic status (SES) on normative and perceived orthodontic treatment need, satisfaction with dental appearance, and regularity of dental attendance.

Materials And Methods: The sample consisted of 550 adolescents (232 boys, 318 girls) aged 13 to 17 years who were categorized according to SES into three groups: low, middle, and high SES. Normative treatment need was assessed by using the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need.