Original Article

Year : 2019 | Volume : 10 | Issue : 2 | Page : 57-64

Assessment of early orthodontic treatment need and its relationship with sociodemographic characteristics among Tanzanian children using index for preventive and interceptive orthodontic treatment need

Joseph Paulinus Tungaraza1, Matilda Mtaya-Mlangwa2, Abella Emeria Mugonzibwa2

1 Clinician, Muhimbili National Hospital, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania,

2 Department of Orthodontics Paedodontics and Community Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Correspondence Address:

Dr. Joseph Paulinus Tungaraza

P.O. Box 65000, Dar es salaam, Tanzania

Source of Support: 

None

Conflict of Interest: 

None

DOI: 10.4103/ijor.ijor_15_19

Background:

Early orthodontic treatment (EOT) aims at identifying and intervening occlusal conditions in primary and early-mixed dentition.

Aim:

This study aimed at assessing EOT need and its relationship with sociodemographic characteristics using the index for preventive and interceptive orthodontic treatment needs (IPION) among schoolchildren in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Study Setting and Design:

An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among schoolchildren aged 6 and 9 years.

Materials and Methods:

Schoolchildren were selected by multistage cluster sampling technique. Questionnaires were used to obtain sociodemographic information; clinical examinations were done to record schoolchildren's IPION scores.

Statistical Analysis Used:

Data were analyzed using a computer software, SPSS version 20.0. Chi-square test was used for assessing statistical differences between variables; P value was set at P < 0.05.

Results:

A total of 667 schoolchildren were involved (59.5% girls; 52.5% 9-year-olds). In 6-year-olds, 77.9% had caries, and in 9-year-olds, 60% had caries. Lower-second primary molars were the most common prematurely lost teeth. Increased overjet was the most frequently recorded occlusal anomaly. Many 9-year-old boys than girls had caries (67.4% vs. 55.5%, P = 0.032). Six-year-olds with mothers who were homemakers compared to those with employed mothers experienced caries (81.7% vs. 71.0%, P = 0.034). Overall, 67.2% and 41.7% of the participants had EOT need and definite EOT need, respectively.

Conclusion:

EOT need for malocclusions was high in the involved school children, these will thus benefit from preventive and interceptive orthodontic treatment programs.

How to cite this article: Tungaraza JP, Mtaya-Mlangwa M, Mugonzibwa AE. Assessment of early orthodontic treatment need and its relationship with sociodemographic characteristics among Tanzanian children using index for preventive and interceptive orthodontic treatment need. Int J Orthod Rehabil 2019;10:57-64.