Abstract:
Back ground: - A systematic and well-organized orthodontic service for any target population requires an assessment of the orthodontic treatment need. In practice, the need for orthodontic care is often determined by normative need. However, a person‟s decision to seek orthodontic treatment is dependent on multiple factors. Therefore, this study aimed to assess self-perception of malocclusion and its assessment, as well as normative needs for orthodontic treatment, and its comparison between these two needs. Objective: This study aimed to assess the Normative and Perceived Orthodontic treatment need of 12 years old school-children in Jimma Town, South West Ethiopia, 2018. Methods: Institutional based cross-sectional study was employed in selected public primary schools in Jimma town. The study participants were selected by simple random sampling method. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire and standard clinical examination procedures. Descriptive statistics was undertaken to characterize the study participants. Association between dependent variables and independent variables were measured by chisquare test and regression analysis. P-value less than 0.05 used to declare statistically significant association on multivariate logistic regression. Result: Three hundred and forty-seven 12 years old school children participated, giving a response rate of 91.8%. Most of the children were female (55.3%). About 48.2% of the children had need for orthodontic treatment. The correlation between normative and perceived need was low (r=0.343. p < 0.001). Students who had high DHC scores, hence a great need for treatment had significantly lower self-perceived AC scores and lower legal guardian perceived AC scores. Legal guardian perceived need (x2 = 33.2, P < 0.001), child perceived need (x2 = 33.4, p < 0.001), examiner AC score (x2 = 117.2, p < 0.001) and demand were significantly associated with Normative need. Determinants of perceived need were legal guardian perceive need (AOR = 5.79, 95% CI= 2.83-11.85), higher examiner AC score (AOR = 13, 95% CI= 5.96-28.4), mother‟s lower educational status (AOR = 4.13, 95% CI= 1.61-10.55) and child‟s unhappiness with satisfaction of teeth arrangement (AOR = 2.72, 95% CI= 1.38-5.59) when adjusted to covariates. Conclusion and Recommendation: This study revealed that the need for orthodontic treatment was high. Normative and perceived need had low correlation. The determinant factors of normative orthodontic treatment need were child perceived need, legal guardian perceived need, examiner AC score and demand. Therefore, awareness about orthodontic treatment should be given. Also, publicly subsidized orthodontic treatment should be provided to those who are in great need for orthodontic treatment. Further studies comparing normative and perceived orthodontic treatment need are necessary.
