Abstract:
Prevalence of malocclusion was obtained by using Dental Aesthetic Index. Information on
knowledge and perceived impact of malocclusion was obtained using a self administered
questionnaire. In addition orthodontic material expenditure was calculated in a sub sample
of treated children in the university setting.The prevalence study comprised of 526 twelve
year old children :mrf 540 fifteel) year old children. Most of the children, (72 percent) of the
12- year-olds and (70 percent) of the 15-year-olds had no malocclusion or minor
malocclusion which do not reguire orthodontic treatment. There were 16 percent (0.16,CI=
0, 191-0. 129 ) of 12 year old children and 14 percent ( 0.14, CI =0 .169-0.111) of 15 year
old children had definite malocelusion where treatment considered as elective and there
were 4 percent ( 0.04, SI= 0.054=0.023) of 12 year old children and 7 percent ( 0.07 CI
=0.083-0.061) of 15 year old children had severe malocelusion where treatment considered
as highlydesirable . Only 7.8 percent ( 0.078, CI =0.745-0.695) of 12 year olds and 8.7
percent (0.087, CI=0.114, 0.066) of 15 year olds had handicapping malcelusion that needed
mandatory treatment. Impact of malocelusion was significantly associated with the location
of the school , fathers employment status and DAI ( P<0..05) serverity among 12 year old
children . Among the 15 year olds impact of malocelusion was significantly associated with
sex and DAI severity (P,0.05). DAI severity level among 12 year old children was
significantly associated to satisfaction wih the own arranggggggggement of teeth, getting
comments by others, getting teased and avoid smiling impact of malocclusion was found to
be significantly associated to satisfaction with the own arrangement of teeth , getting
comments by others, getting teased and avoid smiling . Impact of malocclusion was found to
be significantly associated with malocclusion among 15 year old children was significantly
associated to crowding in the incisal segment, maxillary irregularity , manibular
irregularity, maxillary over ject, and malocclusion among 12 and 15 year old children in a
selected District. It further provides data on the level of knowledge on malocclusion and
percrived impact of malocclusion . The finding will be useful to assess service need of
malcocclusion and perceived impact of malocclusion. The finding will be useful to assess
service need of malocclusion among children of 12 years and 15 years of age, and to plan
the future service programme.
