Awareness of Malocclusion and Desire for Orthodontic Treatment Among Secondary School Pupils in Ondo City, Ondo State
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61172/7dgje293Keywords:
Malocclusion, Orthodontic treatment, Ondo stateAbstract
Background: Malocclusion is a prevalent dental issue, particularly among children and young adults, with significant implications for dental function and aesthetics. Understanding the occurrence of malocclusion and the desire for orthodontic treatment among secondary school pupils is crucial for early intervention. This study assesses these factors among secondary school pupils in Ondo City, Ondo State.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in Ondo City, Ondo State, Nigeria. The study included secondary school pupils aged 11-15 years, with a representative sample size of 242. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire, which checked for their awareness of malocclusion, knowledge, and desire for orthodontic treatment. The survey data was collected and organized into Microsoft Excel spreadsheets and statistically analyzed utilizing the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.0 software. The statistical test used was the chi-square test and P values less than 0.05 were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethics and Research Committee of the University of Medical Sciences, Ondo.
Results: The study revealed that 56.6% of pupils observed their teeth as properly aligned, while 78.5% had seen peers with misaligned teeth. Significantly more females observed misalignment in their teeth, while males reported more teasing due to misaligned teeth (p < 0.05). Despite the awareness of malocclusion, 86% of pupils disapproved of living with it throughout life, with more females expressing dissatisfaction with their dental arrangement.
Only 36.4% of pupils had heard of orthodontics, primarily from teachers and dentists. Significantly more females demonstrated knowledge about orthodontic treatment (p < 0.05). While 61.9% perceived a need for orthodontic treatment, only 50.8% were willing to accept it. Age statistically correlated significantly with awareness, knowledge, and willingness to accept treatment (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: The study reports a variation in malocclusion awareness and the desire for orthodontic treatment among secondary school pupils, with age and gender playing significant roles as older pupils and females showed higher awareness and treatment desire.
It also showed the need for educational interventions to increase awareness, especially among younger pupils and males, to address oral health disparities and improve psychological well-being among school pupils in Ondo City.
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