Page 147 - FINAL COMPENDIUM 2020-2021 27.2.2022

MALOCCLUSION & THE NEED FOR ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT AMONG MALAYSIAN
PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN IN SELANGOR: A CROSS-SECTIONAL EPIDEMIOLOGICAL
STUDY

Najiyatu Nazihah Z, Annapurny V, Saraswathy Devi S
Objective: This study evaluated the prevalence of malocclusion based on incisor
classification of the British Standard Institute (BSI, 1983) and orthodontic treatment need
using the dental health component (DHC) of the index of orthodontic treatment need
(IOTN) among children aged between 9 and 11 years old. Materials and methods: A
descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 413 children (9-11 years old) in 7
national primary schools in Sungai Buloh, Selangor. They were selected using stratified
random sampling based on the main ethnic composition. Clinical examinations were
carried out, and study models were fabricated. The data were recorded in malocclusion
assessment form to assess the prevalence of malocclusion and orthodontic treatment
need. Results: Seventy six percent of children had malocclusion. The most common
malocclusion based on BSI in order of prevalence were Class II incisor relationship: 31.0%
(Class II division 1: 25.7%, Class II division 2: 5.3%), Class I incisor relationship: 26.4%, Class
III incisor relationship: 18.6%. There was no statistically significant difference between
ethnicity and occlusal status (p>0.05). Crowding was found to be the most predominant
occlusal discrepancy (54.0%). The prevalence of DHC of IOTN were as follows, Grade 1 and
2: 48.2%, Grade 3: 21.3%, Grade 4: 24.7% and Grade 5: 5.8%. To quantify for orthodontic
treatment in government orthodontic clinic, orthodontic eligibility was based on Grade 4
& 5, therefore, the prevalence of orthodontic treatment need was 30.5%. The Chinese
ethnicity showed a significantly higher prevalence of definite need for orthodontic
treatment compared to the other ethnicities with adjusted p=0.0007. Conclusion: The
prevalence of malocclusion among the subject population was high and is comparable
with other studies. However, not all of them are eligible for orthodontic treatment need
based on DHC of IOTN. Additionally, definite need for orthodontic treatment is
significantly higher in the Chinese ethnicity.

Keywords: Malocclusion, IOTN, Dental Health Component, British Standard Institute (BSI)

nd
Virtual oral presentation at the 22 NIH Scientific Conference on 21 – 23 September 2021, National Institute of Health,
Setia Alam, Selangor
Dr Najiyatu Nazihah binti Zakaria
Orthodontic Unit
Batu 2 ½ Dental Clinic
Chukai, Kemaman
Terengganu

Dr Saraswathy Devi Sinniah
Dr Annapurny Venkiteswaran
Centre of Dental Paediatric & Orthodontic Studies
Universiti Teknologi MARA
Sungai Buloh Campus
Selangor

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