Abstract
Objective
To compare the use of the Aesthetic Component (AC) of IOTN and the Child Perceptions Questionnaire (CPQ) in assessing orthodontic treatment need and concern.
Design
Cross-sectional observational study
Subjects and methods
The subjects were 204 children aged 10–12 years studying in 10 schools in Bristol, UK. They completed a questionnaire comprising the CPQ and questions regarding orthodontic concern. AC scores as rated by the child and by the calibrated examiner were recorded.
Main outcome measures
CPQ scores were calculated from the responses in the questionnaire. AC scores and responses to questions regarding orthodontic concern were recorded.
Results
The children gave themselves lower AC scores compared to the examiner (p<0.001).
The only section of the CPQ that correlated significantly with Examiner AC was the emotional impacts section (rho=0.151). CPQ scores had a slightly higher correlation with self-perceived AC than Examiner AC. However, the correlations were still very low. The emotional impacts section of CPQ (rho=0.332) and overall CPQ score (rho=0.282) were better than the examiner AC (rho=0.209) at reflecting how bothered the children were by the alignment of their teeth, and how upset they would be if they couldn't receive orthodontic treatment (rho=0.464, 0.428 and 0.214, respectively). Children with a normative need for orthodontic treatment, based on examiner AC did not have a worse oral health-related quality of life.
Conclusion(s)
The CPQ and IOTN AC measure different attributes. There should be a shift towards using quality of life measures to supplement the IOTN in assessing the perceived need for orthodontic treatment.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.