title: The relationship of dental aesthetic index with dental appearance, smile and desire for orthodontic correction.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between dental aesthetic index (DAI) and self - satisfaction with dental appearance, smile and desire for orthodontic care.
  
  
  METHODS
  A survey of 103 school children, 51 boys and 52 girls was carried out in Annamalai Nagar, Chidambaram. The subjects were interviewed using a questionnaire consisting of questions concerning smile, dental appearance and desire for orthodontic treatment. They were also assessed using the dental aesthetic index.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Statistically significant correlations were between subjective assessments of dental appearance and DAI (P = 0.042) and need for orthodontic treatment and DAI (P = 0.045). The strongest correlations were found between DAI and comparative evaluations of dental appearance (P < 0.005).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study has shown significant correlations between DAI and subjective perceptions of dental appearance.
authors.affiliation: Professor, Department of Pedodontics, Modern Dental College and Research Center, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Ullal Anand
authors.initials: UA
authors.lastname: Nayak
authors.affiliation: Senior Lecturer, Department of Pedodontics, Dr DY Patil Dental College and Hospital, Navi Mumbai, Mumbai Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Jasmin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Winnier
authors.affiliation: Senior Lecturer, Department of Pedodontics, Pushpagiri College of Dental Sciences, Perunduruthy, Kerala, India.
authors.forename: Rupesh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: S
keywords: Dental aesthetic index; dental appearance; desire for orthodontic correction.