title: Factors associated with the desire for orthodontic treatment among Brazilian adolescents and their parents.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In the period of adolescence physical appearance takes on significant importance in the construction of personal identity, including one's relationship with one's own body. A variety of social, cultural, psychological and personal factors influences the self-perception of dental appearance and the decision to undergo orthodontic treatment. Adolescents who seek orthodontic treatment are concerned with improving their appearance and social acceptance. The aim of the present study was to determine factors associated to the desire for orthodontic treatment among Brazilian adolescents and their parents.
  
  
  METHODS
  The sample consisted of 403 subjects aged 14 to 18 years, selected randomly from a population of 182,291 schoolchildren in the same age group. The outcome variable "desire for orthodontic treatment" was assessed through a questionnaire. Self-perception of dental aesthetics was assessed using the Oral Aesthetic Subjective Impact Scale (OASIS) and the Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI) was used for clinical assessment. Statistical analysis involved the chi-square test as well as both simple and multiple logistic regression analyses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The majority (78%) of the Brazilian adolescents desired orthodontic treatment and 69% of the parents reported that their children were not in orthodontic treatment due to the high costs involved. There was significant association (p < or = 0.05) between the desire for orthodontic treatment and most types of malocclusion. However, there was no significant association between the desire for orthodontic treatment and the variables gender and age.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The following were considered factors associated to the desire for treatment: upper anterior crowding > or = 2 mm and parents' perception of their child's need for treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil. lsmarques21@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Leandro S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Marques
authors.forename: Isabela A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Pordeus
authors.forename: Maria L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Ramos-Jorge
authors.forename: Cid A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Filogônio
authors.forename: Cintia B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Filogônio
authors.forename: Luciano J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.forename: Saul M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Paiva
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D000367:Age Factors; D001828:Body Image; D004955:Esthetics, Dental / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000523:psychology*; D009042:Motivation; D009971:Orthodontics, Corrective / Q000191:economics / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011788:Quality of Life; D012649:Self Concept; D012737:Sex Factors; D012928:Social Desirability; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires