Prevalence of Malocclusion and its Psycho-Social Impact
among 12 To 15-Year-old School Children in Lucknow City
ZC36-ZC39
Correspondence
Dr. Kunal Jha,
Senior Lecturer, Department of Public Health Dentistry Kalinga Dental College, Orrisa - 751024, India.
Phone : 07749996318, E-mail : kunaljha101@gmail.com
Background: Facial aesthetics affects how people are perceived by society and how they perceive themselves. Anterior malocclusion can have an impact on the overall facial appearance.
Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of malocclusion and its psycho-social impact among 12 to 15 yrs old school children in Lucknow city.
Materials and Methods: The study consisted of collection of information for psychosocial assessment using a questionnaire and clinical examination of malocclusion. Data regarding psychosocial impact of dental aesthetics was collected using a Psychosocial Impact of Dental Aesthetics Questionnaire (PIDAQ) given by Klages et al., (2006).
Results: 15.57% children belonged to the definite malocclusion category and 5.41% to the handicapped malocclusion category. The mean Dental self confidence score differed significantly among both male (p = 0.001) and female children (p = 0.001) across the age groups. The mean Social impact score did not differ significantly among both male (p = 0.31) and female children (p = 0.12) across the age groups.
Conclusion: The results of the present study imply that dental aesthetics had a significant impact on the psychosocial aspects of human life irrespective of the gender.