Assessment of psychosocial impact of dental aesthetics.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the psychosocial impact of dental aesthetics using the 'Psychosocial Impact of Dental Aesthetics Questionnaire' (PIDAQ) and self-rated Aesthetic Component (AC) of the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN).


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Dental Section, the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from August to September 2006.


METHODS
Adults with no prior orthodontic treatment were asked to complete a modified version of the 'Psychosocial Impact of Dental Aesthetics Questionnaire' (PIDAQ). A total of four variables including 'Dental Self-confidence', 'Social impact', 'Psychological impact' and 'Perceived orthodontic treatment need' were assessed by a series of statements, whereas dental aesthetics were assessed by the respondents using the IOTN Aesthetic Component (self-rated IOTN-AC). Kruskal-Walli's test was applied to determine significance.


RESULTS
The respondents were 120 adults (70 females and 50 males; mean age 25.8 years), all four of the above-mentioned variables measuring psychosocial impact showed positive and significant correlations with the perceived severity of malocclusion as depicted by the Aesthetic Component (AC) of Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN), with p-value of less than 0.01 for all variables.


CONCLUSIONS
The results indicate the strong psychosocial impact of altered dental aesthetics on the emotional state of an individual. The association between self-rated IOTN-AC grading with psychosocial well-being stands established, indicating that the perceived aesthetics of malocclusion may be as significant a factor in determining treatment need as the degree of malocclusion.
Khan
Munizeh
M
Department of Orthodontics, The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi. munizeh.khan@aku.edu
Fida
Mubassar
M
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003729:Dental Care / Q000523:psychology*; D004644:Emotions; D004955:Esthetics, Dental / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D008603:Mental Health; D009909:Oral Health; D009970:Orthodontics; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires