Serap Gülçin ÇETİN, Özge SÖNMEZ UZEL
Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine - 2026;9(2):393-399
Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the orthodontic treatment needs of children aged 12-14 years using the dental health component (DHC) and aesthetic component (AC) of the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN). Methods: A total of 407 children who presented to the Pediatric Dentistry Clinic of Batman University Faculty of Dentistry were included. IOTN-DHC and IOTN-AC scores were recorded. The distribution of treatment needs by sex and age was analyzed using the chi-square test. The relationship between AC and DHC was evaluated using Spearman correlation analysis. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05. Results: Of the participants, 52.09% were classified within IOTN-DHC grades 4-5, indicating a clear functional need for orthodontic treatment. Based on aesthetic assessment, 9.09% were classified within IOTN-AC grades 8-10. No significant differences were found between gender or age and DHC or AC scores (p>0.05). A positive, moderate correlation was observed between AC and DHC (r=0.722; p<0.001). Conclusion: Functional orthodontic treatment needs were higher than aesthetic needs among the examined population. Age and gender were not significant determinants of treatment need. These findings underscore the importance of orthodontic evaluation during adolescence and indicate a comparatively high level of treatment need in the region.
