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Unmet orthodontic treatment need in rural Nigerian adolescents
Author(s) -
Otuyemi Olayinka D.,
Ugboko Vincent I.,
AdekoyaSofowora Comfort A.,
Ndukwe Kizito C.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
community dentistry and oral epidemiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.061
H-Index - 101
eISSN - 1600-0528
pISSN - 0301-5661
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0528.1997.tb00956.x
Subject(s) - medicine , dentistry , dental health , rural population , population , rural area , family medicine , orthodontics , environmental health , pathology
A survey of orthodontic treatment need was carried out among randomly selected rural Nigerian adolescents using the index of orthodontic treatment need. Altogether, 704 subjects (381 boys and 323 girls) aged 12–18 years (mean 14.8, SD 1.79) were recruited in the study. The results indicated that 12.6% of the population were in objective need of orthodontic treatment. Whilst there was a discrepancy in the proportions of Nigerian adolescents needing orthodontic treatment on aesthetic and dental health grounds, girls were found to have a more attractive dental appearance and less orthodontic treatment need than boys. However, the differences were not statistically significant ( P > 0.05). The correlation between the orthodontist's and the subject's rating of dental appearance was found to be low ( r =0.35). The study also provided reliable baseline data for planning orthodontic services in Nigeria especially in areas where there are no dental services.