Assessment of Malocclusion and Gender Differences in Orthodontic Treatment Needs Among Adolescents Aged 10-13 Years in Eastern India: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Introduction: Malocclusion is a prevalent public health concern among adolescents, impacting both dental health and psychosocial well-being.

Aims And Objectives: To assess the prevalence of orthodontic treatment needs among adolescents aged 10-13 years in Bhubaneswar using the dental health component (DHC) and aesthetic component (AC) of the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN) and to analyze gender-based differences.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 450 school-going children aged 10-13 years using cluster sampling across Bhubaneswar. The DHC and AC of the IOTN were used to evaluate treatment needs, and assessments were performed by a single examiner under natural light using standardized tools. Data were analyzed using SPSS Statistics software (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY), and chi-square tests were applied to determine the association between DHC and AC grades and gender, with a significance level of p ≤ 0.05.

Results: The DHC showed 192 (42.67%) children had a definite need for treatment, while the AC indicated 29 (6.4%) children with definite aesthetic needs. Significant gender differences were observed in the AC (p = 0.027), with females exhibiting higher aesthetic concerns. However, no gender difference was found in the DHC (p = 0.876).

Conclusion: The findings highlight a significant prevalence of malocclusion among early adolescents in Bhubaneswar, emphasizing the need for early orthodontic intervention and tailored orthodontic services to address the specific needs of this population.