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Identification of Malocclusion by Dental Undergraduate Students: A Cross-sectional Study
ZC34-ZC39
Correspondence
Cheepurupalli Meher Vineesha,
Associate Professor, Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics, Anil Neerukonda Institute of Dental Sciences, Sangivalsa, Visakhapatnam-531163, Andhra Pradesh, India.
E-mail: mehervinni@gmail.com
Introduction: Health is multifaceted and influenced by a variety of variables. Along with dental caries, periodontal and gingival disorders, malocclusion is one of the most prevalent dental issues. It can impair oral health by increasing the prevalence of dental caries, periodontal diseases, and temporomandibular disorders, as well as predispose to oral habits in the majority of cases. Hence, knowledge about the need for treatment and the correct time of commencement is essential for treating malocclusion.
Aim: To assess the level of understanding of dental undergraduate students in the identification of malocclusion.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 150 final-year dental undergraduate students from private dental colleges who were randomly chosen. A pre-tested questionnaire with closed-ended questions was given to every participant, and their knowledge levels were evaluated on the same day after the collection of completed questionnaires. The questionnaire contained intraoral and extraoral photographs of patients with malocclusions. Students were asked questions about the identification of various malocclusions, and the data was analysed as frequency (n) and percentages (%).
Results: Questionnaire responses by a total of 150 dental undergraduate students, (48 males and 102 females) with a mean age of 21±2 years were analysed. The majority of students were able to identify Angle’s Class-I (n=139, 92.7%), Class-II (n=103, 68.7%), and Class-III (n=122, 81.3%) malocclusions, as well as canine relationships (n=136, 90.7%). The majority of students had no difficulty in recognising transverse malocclusions, such as posterior crossbite (n=103, 68.7%) and scissors bite (n=99, 66%), as well as common malocclusions like crowding, spacing, midline shift, and deep bite.
Conclusion: Most of the students were familiar with the diagnosis of malocclusion. However, knowledge regarding the type of appliance to be used and the age of starting treatment was lacking.