The orthodontic treatment needs of high school students within the buffalo city metropolitan municipality – a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: this was a cross-sectional study of high school students aged 13 to 15 years within the buffalo city metropolitan municipality. A total of 391 participants were examined using the index of orthodontic treatment need. Data was analysed using descriptive methods primarily. Pearson’s chi-square test was used to test associations between variables (subjective need, objective need, sex). Methods: sampling was performed using a multi-stage cluster sampling procedure. A self-administered questionnaire and clinical examination were used to collect data. The orthodontic treatment need was measured using the index of orthodontic treatment need. Objective and subjective need for orthodontic treatment was measured using the dental health component and aesthetic component of the index of orthodontic treatment need, respectively. The data was analysed using descriptive methods primarily. The associations between subjective orthodontic treatment need and sex, objective orthodontic treatment need and sex, and subjective and objective orthodontic treatment need were determined using a pearson’s chi-square test. The level of significance was set at 5% and all results were deemed statistically significant at p < 0.05. Results: a total of 391 participants were examined, of which 66.8% (n = 261) were female and 33.3% (n = 130) were male. A definite subjective need of 13.3% (n = 52) and a definite objective need of 36.8% (n = 144) were observed in this study. Sex was associated with both subjective and objective orthodontic treatment need (p < 0.05). An association between subjective and objective orthodontic treatment need was also observed (p < 0.001). Conclusion: the findings of this study identified an objective and subjective orthodontic need in this sample, which can assist in the development of a public orthodontic service plan. The prevalence of malocclusions in need of orthodontic treatment can be used to determine the resources required for such a service. Additionally, this data can be used as baseline data from which other research projects may be planned.