Chukwudi Ochi Onyeaso1. 1. Orthodontic Unit, Department of Preventive Dentistry, College of Medicine, University College Hospital, University of Ibadan, Nigeria. coonyeaso@yahoo.com
Abstract
PURPOSE: Proper well-organized orthodontic treatment planning for special needs patients quantifies such needs with a valid screening method to determine priority treatment. The aim of this study was to determine the orthodontic treatment needs of mentally handicapped children in Ibadan, Nigeria. METHODS: The sample consisted of 124 mentally handicapped children, 68 boys and 56 girls who were 6 to 18 years old with mean age of 14.5 +/- 1.5 years, drawn from 7 special centers/schools in the city. RESULTS: Less than 42% had normal or minor malocclusions needing slight or no treatment; 17% had definite malocclusions with treatment elective; 9% had severe malocclusions and treatment highly desirable; 32% had very severe or handicapping malocclusions with treatment considered mandatory. Significant gender differences were found in the mean dental aesthetic index (DAI) scores (P < .05) and significant association noted (P < .05) between severe mental retardation and DAI scores deserving treatment. CONCLUSIONS: There were considerable orthodontic treatment needs among the study population with a reasonable percentage deserving treatment in publicly funded programs.
PURPOSE: Proper well-organized orthodontic treatment planning for special needs patients quantifies such needs with a valid screening method to determine priority treatment. The aim of this study was to determine the orthodontic treatment needs of mentally handicappedchildren in Ibadan, Nigeria. METHODS: The sample consisted of 124 mentally handicappedchildren, 68 boys and 56 girls who were 6 to 18 years old with mean age of 14.5 +/- 1.5 years, drawn from 7 special centers/schools in the city. RESULTS: Less than 42% had normal or minor malocclusions needing slight or no treatment; 17% had definite malocclusions with treatment elective; 9% had severe malocclusions and treatment highly desirable; 32% had very severe or handicapping malocclusions with treatment considered mandatory. Significant gender differences were found in the mean dental aesthetic index (DAI) scores (P < .05) and significant association noted (P < .05) between severe mental retardation and DAI scores deserving treatment. CONCLUSIONS: There were considerable orthodontic treatment needs among the study population with a reasonable percentage deserving treatment in publicly funded programs.