title: Orthodontic treatment: need and demand in north karnataka school children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the normative need, demand and knowledge of/for/on orthodontic treatment in Karnataka school children who were aged 12-16 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  A simple random selection of a sample of 1000 students who were aged 12-16 years was made. Informed consents were obtained from each subject. The dental health component (DHC) and aesthetic component (AC) of the index of orthodontic treatment need (IOTN) and the index of complexity, outcome and need (ICON) were assessed by using the index. The knowledge and demand on/for orthodontic treatment were assessed by using a questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The survey population showed 49.3%, 44.4%, and 7.1% of samples needed definite orthodontic treatment need on basis of DHC, ICON, AC respectively. In terms of treatment need, boys were more likely to seek orthodontic treatment need than girls. There was fair agreement between operator and students. A high percentage of students clearly expressed a 'definite need' of orthodontic treatment. Only 40% of children had some knowledge on orthodontic treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study showed that the awareness, need and demand for orthodontic treatment were less among school children. So, we need to enlighten the students regarding aesthetics among children.
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Orthodontics, Navodaya Dental College Raichur, Karnataka, India .
authors.forename: Chaitra
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: K
authors.affiliation: Head of Department, Department of Orthodontics, A.M.E's Dental College , Raichur, Karnataka, India .
authors.forename: Naveen
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Reddy
authors.affiliation: Head of Department, Department of Orthodontics, Navodaya Dental College , Raichur, Karnataka, India .
authors.forename: Suga
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Reddy
authors.affiliation: Head of Department, Department of Oral Pathology, Navodaya Dental College , Raichur, Karnataka, India .
authors.lastname: Vanishree
keywords: Aesthetic component (AC); Demand; Dental health component (DHC); Index of complexity outcome and treatment need (ICON); Index of orthodontic treatment need (IOTN); Treatment need