Effect of Socioeconomic Status on Normative and Perceived Orthodontic Treatment Need

Objective: To determine the influence of socioeconomic status (SES) on normative and perceived orthodontic treatment need, satisfaction with dental appearance, and regularity of dental attendance.

Materials And Methods: The sample consisted of 550 adolescents (232 boys, 318 girls) aged 13 to 17 years who were categorized according to SES into three groups: low, middle, and high SES. Normative treatment need was assessed by using the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need. Data were collected by clinical examination and face-to-face interview. The χ(2) test and logistic regression analysis were used for statistical analyses.

Results: Approximately 34.0% of the untreated subjects had a definite dental need for treatment and 24.5% had a moderate need; among those, 53.5% were of low SES (P  =  .017). One-third of the sample had a moderate to definite esthetic need, most of whom had a low SES (P  =  .009). Of the subjects who were dissatisfied with their dental appearance and reported a self-perceived need for treatment, around one-third had a low SES. Most subjects with low SES were irregular dental attenders (P < .001). Subjects of low SES, those who had a self-perceived need for treatment, and those who were dissatisfied with their dental appearance were more likely to have a definite normative esthetic need.

Conclusions: Subjects of low SES exhibited greater normative and perceived treatment needs than subjects of higher SES. They were less satisfied with their dental appearance and visited a dentist less frequently.