OBJECTIVE

To assess prevalence of malocclusion and orthodontic treatment needs among 12 year old Indians using the Dental Aesthetic Index, and to find its association with dental caries.

METHODS

927 schoolchildren were randomly selected and their DAI and dentition status scores were recorded as per 1997 World Health Organization criteria. Clinical exams were carried out by one trained and calibrated examiner. The Chi-square test, Z-test and Spearman's correlation test were carried out.

RESULTS

Mean DAI score was 19.2 (sd 6.8). Differences were found between male and female DAI scores (Z < or = 0.05). 82% of children had DAI scores < 26 with no or minor malocclusion requiring no or little treatment, 3.2% had DAI scores 31-35 with severe malocclusion requiring highly desirable treatment and 1.8% DAI scores>> 35 with handicapping malocclusion requiring mandatory treatment. A mean DMFT of 1.15 (sd 1.62) was recorded. Severe and handicapping malocclusions were associated with dental caries.

CONCLUSIONS

The distribution of DAI scores among Indian schoolchildren differs from that reported in other populations. Positive correlation was found between severe and handicapping malocclusion with dental caries.