Perception of orthodontic treatment need: opinion comparisons of orthodontists, pediatric dentists, and general practitioners.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the relationship between treatment need assessment scores of orthodontists, general practitioners, and pediatric dentists.


METHODS
Observational.


METHODS
Ten general dental practitioners, 18 orthodontists and 15 pediatric dentists reviewed 137 dental casts and recorded their opinion on whether orthodontic treatment was needed.


RESULTS
We found a high level of agreement between pediatric dentists, orthodontists and general practitioners (Kappa range 0.86-0.95). Between the groups, the amount of agreement was lower.


CONCLUSIONS
Orthodontists, general dental practitioners, and pediatric dentists in this sample exhibit high levels of agreement on orthodontic treatment need.
Berk
N W
NW
Department of Behavioral Sciences, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, PA 15210, USA. nwb@sdmgenetics.pitt.edu
Bush
H Dukich
HD
Cavalier
J
J
Kapur
R
R
Studen-Pavlovich
D
D
Sciote
J
J
Weyant
R J
RJ
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002648:Child; D003753:Dental Health Surveys; D003815:Dentists / Q000523:psychology*; D005792:General Practice, Dental; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003765:Models, Dental; D015588:Observer Variation; D009970:Orthodontics; D009971:Orthodontics, Corrective / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010377:Pediatric Dentistry