Abstract

Aim: Children with special needs are prone to poor oral health due to their potential sensory, motor and intellectual disturbances. The purpose of this study was to evaluate type and severity of malocclusion and assess orthodontic treatment need in hearing and speech impaired children. Materials and Methods: Sixty-seven hearing and speech impaired children aged 7-14 years studying in special schools in Bhilai and Durg were included in this study. The Dental Health Component (DHC) and Aesthetic Component (AC) of Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN) were recorded by one examiner. Data were analysed using student’s t-test and chi-square test at a level of significance of .05. Results: According to AC, 61.2% children had no/little need, 35.8% had moderate need and 3% had great need of orthodontic treatment. According to DHC, 35.8% children had no/little treatment need, 43.3% had moderate need and 20.9% had great treatment need. Chi-square test showed a highly significant gender difference (P<.001), according to gender based DHC grade. Also, a highly significant difference between patient’s perception and orthodontist’s opinion for both AC and DHC (P<.001). Conclusion: The patient’s perception and orthodontist’s opinion differed for assessment of malocclusion of hearing and speech impaired children. There was a moderate need of orthodontic treatment in these children of Bhilai and Durg

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