Comparative evaluation of perception of orthodontic treatment need and iotn measured orthodontic treatment need between patient, patient relatives and physicians in different branches

The aim of the present study is to compare patient, parent, prosthodontist, and general dental practitioner perceived need for orthodontic treatment and perceived malocclusion in relation to normative orthodontic treatment need as measured by orthodontist. Thereby patients orthodontic treatment need is determined and awareness of both patient and parent about orthodontic problem has evaluated. Also perception of general dental practitioner and prosthodontist is compared to orthodontic treatment need determined by orthodontist and their proficiency for patient reference is evaluated. 400 patients aged 12 years and older evaluated in terms of orthodontic treatment referred to Dicle University School of Dentistry Department of Orthodontics. This evaluation is done by orthodontist using Dental Health (DHC) and Aesthetics (AC) Component of Orthodontic Treatment Need Index (IOTN). Questionnaire form is filled up by patients and parents regarding sex, age, education, social and economic status. Effect of factors such as sex, age and education on treatment need and perception pf treatment need is evaluated. Patient, parent, prosthodontis, and general dental practitioner evaluated AC component of IOTN index and VAS scale. AC scores represent malocclusion need and VAS scores represent perceived treatment need. Depending on our results of our research no significant relation is found between age groups and genders of patients, and objective treatment need. There is also no significant relation is found between age groups, genders, and education levels of patients and perceived treatment need of patients. Significant relation is found between education levels of parents and parental perceived treatment need. This difference is found to be based on illiterate parents and parents at middle school education level. Generally it can be concluded that subjective perception of patients and parents are similar but different from perception of practitioners. Malocclusion and treatment need perception of general dental practitioner and prostodonthist is found similar to perception of orthodontist. As a result patients referred to orthodontics clinic are required to be evaluated by IOTN and both perception of patient and parent should be considered. It can be concluded that general dental practioner and prosthodontist is sufficient for patient referring to orthodontic clinic.