Perceived, desired, and normatively determined orthodontic treatment needs among orthodontically untreated Nigerian adolescents

This study assessed perceived, desired, and normative need for orthondontic care in a randomly selected (n=567) Nigerian children aged 12-18 years (mean age, 14.6 +/- 1.5), in Ibadan city. Perceived and desired needs were collected using a pre-tested questionnaire. Normative need was assessed on all participants by one orthodontist using the Dental Aesthetic Index. Results revealed 13.8% of the children having very severe or handicapping malocclusion with treatment considred mandatory; 9.7% with severe malocclusion and treatment highly desirable; 19.0% having definite malocclusions with treatment elective and 57.5% had normal or minor malocclusions with no treatment or slight treatment need. About 48.4% of the children desired orthodontic care and 81.7% perceived the need for orthodontic care. No statistically significant gender differences (P>0.05) were observed in perceived, desired and normatively determined orthodontic treatment needs as well as between socioeconomic backgrounds. Although considerable proportion of the adolescents perceived, desired and objectively needed orthodontic care, a discrepancy was observed as some who had near 'ideal occlusion' felt the need for treatment while some who had handicapping malocclusion felt otherwise. Therefore, in orthodontic counselling of Nigeria adolescents, attention should be paid to how the child perceives his/her dentition.