title: The orthodontic condition of children in England, Wales and Northern Ireland 2013.
abstract: Background The 2013 Children's Dental Health Survey is the fifth in a series of national surveys.Aims This paper reports the orthodontic condition of 12- and 15-year-olds and how they and their parents feel about the appearance of their teeth.Methodology A representative sample of children (5y, 8y, 12y, 15y) in England, Wales and Northern Ireland were invited to participate in dental examinations. A modified Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN) was used as a measure of orthodontic treatment need for 12- and 15-year-olds. Children and parents were invited to complete a questionnaire about oral health behaviour and attitudes.Results Nine percent of 12-year-olds and 18% of 15-year-olds were undergoing orthodontic treatment at the time of the survey. Forty-four percent of 12-year-olds and 29% of 15-year-olds expressed a desire for straighter teeth, however over half of this group would not qualify for NHS treatment. Unmet treatment need was higher in children eligible for free school meals (P <0.05 at 15y).Conclusions Provision of and demand for orthodontic treatment is increasing, with a significant proportion of children who desire orthodontic care not eligible to receive it. Children from deprived backgrounds have greater unmet orthodontic treatment need.
authors.affiliation: Child Dental Health (Orthodontics), Centre for Oral Health Research, Newcastle University.
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Rolland
authors.affiliation: Cardiff University.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Treasure
authors.affiliation: Centre Director and Clinical Professor, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queens University, Belfast.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Burden
authors.affiliation: NatCen Social Research, 35 Northampton Square, London.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fuller
authors.affiliation: Centre for Oral Health Research, Newcastle University.
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Vernazza
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008310:Malocclusion; D009660:Northern Ireland; D009971:Orthodontics, Corrective; D014852:Wales