title: Prevalence of malocclusion and orthodontic treatment needs among 12-15-year-old schoolchildren of fishermen of Kutch coast, Gujarat, India.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Malocclusion is one of the most common dental problems in mankind. Planning orthodontic treatment as well as an interceptive approach within a public health system requires information on the prevalence of malocclusions.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of malocclusion and orthodontic treatment needs among 12-15-year-old school children of fishermen of Kutch coast, Gujarat, India.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional descriptive survey was conducted among 947 school children offishermen of Kutch coast, Gujarat, India aged 12-15 years. The prevalence of malocclusion and orthodontic treatment needs was assessed using Dental Aesthetic Index. General information on demographic data was also recorded. A c2 test, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Sheffe's test were employed for statistical analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Malocclusion and orthodontic treatment need was reported among 33.4% of the participants. Younger age group and female gender had significantly greater treatment need. Males and older age groups had significantly lesser prevalence of anterior crowding and largest anterior maxillary irregularity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Orthodontic treatment need among 33.4% calls for developing school based oral health promotion programmes for children with an inculcation of orthodontic treatment and educational programmes for parents (fishermen) addressing prevention and early interceptive treatment of malocclusion.
authors.forename: Sudhanshu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sanadhya
authors.forename: Manish
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chadha
authors.forename: Mayank Kumar
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Chaturvedi
authors.forename: Monika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chaudhary
authors.forename: Sahul
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lerra
authors.forename: Manoj Kumar
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Meena
authors.forename: Gaurav
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bakutra
authors.forename: Sharad
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Acharya
authors.forename: Avni
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pandey
authors.forename: Mridula
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tak
authors.affiliation: kailashasawaudr@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Kailash
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Asawa
authors.forename: Shivalingesh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kamate
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D019649:Food Industry; D006266:Health Education; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D008313:Malocclusion, Angle Class III / Q000453:epidemiology; D020380:Needs Assessment; D024343:Open Bite / Q000453:epidemiology; D009972:Orthodontics, Interceptive; D057887:Overbite / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D017747:Seafood; D012737:Sex Factors; D013334:Students / Q000706:statistics & numerical data