Aim: This study assessed the orthodontic treatment needs of Iranian and Arab university students using the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN). Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 100 Arab and 100 Iranian patients presenting to Ajman University dental clinic in 2023. The subjects were selected by convenience sampling and were 19‒25 years of age. The dental health component (DHC) and esthetic component (AC) of the IOTN were used to assess their malocclusion and the need for orthodontic treatment. Data were analyzed using the chi-squared test at a significance level of 0.05. Results: According to the DHC, 60% of Arab and 64% of Iranian patients had malocclusion with moderate to extreme need for treatment. Of the Iranian population, 12% were Grade I (no need), 24% were Grade 2 (little or mild need), 28% were Grade 3 (moderate need), 20% were Grade 4 (severe need), and 16% were Grade 5 (extreme need). These values were 17%, 23%, 32%, 20%, and 8%, respectively, for the Arab population. According to the AC, 59% of Iranians and 56% of Arabs required little or no treatment, while 27% of Iranians and 31% of Arabs had moderate need, and 14% of Iranians and 13% of Arabs had severe need for treatment. The difference between the two populations was insignificant in the DHC (P=0.431) or AC (P=0.681) grading. Conclusion: The two groups with different ethnic backgrounds exhibited no significant difference regarding orthodontic treatment needs.

Objectives: The objective of this research was to compare the orthodontic treatment need and demand using Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI) and Occlusal Index (OI) among dentistry students of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was performed on 113 dental students in Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. The demand for orthodontic treatment was assessed using a standardized questionnaire and 10 photographs of aesthetic component (AC) of IOTN for the self-assessment of subjects about their dental attractiveness. Occlusal Index (OI) and Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI), which were calculated by clinical examination and dental model analysis, were used to assess the orthodontic treatment need. Students with a history of orthodontic treatment were excluded. Results: Final analysis was done on 113 cases (48 men and 65 women). The study showed that there was a signifi cant relationship between the demand for orthodontic treatment and the self-assessment of subjects about their dental attractiveness (according to the photograph they had chosen) (P = 0. 015). There is also a signifi cant relationship between the self-assessment of subjects about their dental attractiveness (according to the photographs) and the orthodontic treatment need based on DAI (P = 0. 008). Furthermore, a signifi cant connection was found between the self-assessment of subjects about their dental attractiveness (according to the photographs) and the orthodontic treatment need based on OI (P < 0. 001). Conclusions: The results of our study revealed that both indices show that the need for orthodontic treatment is in line with the demand, which could be used for planning public orthodontic and dental services.

Statement of the Problem: The validity of the Index of Complexity, Outcome and Need (ICON) which is an orthodontic index developed and introduced in 2000 should be studied in different ethnic groups.Purpose: The aim of this study was to perform an analysis on the ICON and to verify whether this index is valid for assessing both the need and complexity of orthodontic treatment in Iran.Materials and Method: Five orthodontists were asked to score pre-treatment diagnostic records of 100 patients with a uniform distribution of different types of malocclusions determined by Dental Health Component of the Index of Treatment Need. A calibrated examiner also assessed the need for orthodontic treatment and complexity of the cases based on the ICON index as well as the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN). 10 days later, 25% of the cases were re-scored by the panel of experts and the calibrated orthodontist.Results: The weighted kappa revealed the inter-examiner reliability of the experts to be 0.63 and 0.51 for the need and complexity components, respectively. ROC curve was used to assess the validity of the index. A new cut-off point was adjusted at 35 in lieu of 43 as the suggested cut-off point. This cut-off point showed the highest level of sensitivity and specificity in our society for orthodontic treatment need (0.77 and 0.78, respectively), but it failed to define definite ranges for the complexity of treatment.Conclusion: ICON is a valid index in assessing the need for treatment in Iran when the cut-off point is adjusted to 35. As for complexity of treatment, the index is not validated for our society. It seems that ICON is a well-suited substitute for the IOTN index.

Background: This study aimed to compare the quantitative and qualitative components of IOTN index in determining the orthodontic treatment needed in High school students in Ahvaz, Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 356 students aged 15-18 years. The samples were selected by cluster stratified method and the information was collected using IOTN index and clinical examinations. Statistical data were obtained using the descriptive analysis and chi-square test (P <0. 05). Results: The findings showed that 51. 94% of males and 80. 5% of females had no or little treatment need, 17. 94% of males and 3% of females had moderate and 30. 12% of males and 16. 5% of females had severe or extreme treatment needs. Regarding the aesthetic component of (AC), based on the student’, s point of view, 76. 5% of males and 98. 8% of females had no or little need, 15. 2% of males and 1. 3% of females had moderate need and 8. 3% of males and 0% of females had severe or extreme treatment need. According to the dentist's opinion, 93. 6% of males and 90% of females had no or little need, 5. 1% of males and 4. 5% of females had moderate needs, 1. 3% of males and 5. 5% of females had definite needs for treatment. Comparing the DHC and the AC showed that the DHC-based orthodontic treatment need is higher. Conclusion: Occlusion-based judgment is more accurate and less complex. Aesthetic-based judgment is descriptive, indefinite, and individualized, and depends on a variety of social, psychological, cultural, and ethnic factors, and is more complex. Therefore, in order to achieve a better quality of life, it is recommended to consider the aesthetic and appearance-related factors based on the patient's opinion.

Background: The influence of orthodontic treatment on self-confidence and quality of life is a major reason for patients to seek treatment. This study was designed to assess the relationship between orthodontic treatment need and psychosocial impact of dental aesthetics in patients seeking orthodontic treatment. Methods: This descriptive analytical cross-sectional study was performed on 165 patients referred to orthodontic clinics in Kerman to start treatment. Patients were selected by census method to reach the specified sample size. The data collection tools included 3 forms: demographic information form, Psychosocial Impact of Dental Aesthetics Questionnaire (PIDAQ) and a form for recording information obtained from clinical examination to determine orthodontic treatment need based on Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN). Data analysis was performed through SPSS 22 and using t test, ANOVA, and linear regression at a significance level of 0. 05. Results: The educational level of subjects and their parents and economic status showed no significant relationship with total PIDAQ score and any of its domains (P > 0. 05). In psychological impact domain, women’, s score was significantly higher (P = 0. 016) and there was a significant relationship between the treatment need based on aesthetic component (AC) and the domains of dental self-confidence (P = 0. 003), social impact (P = 0. 049) and psychological impact (P = 0. 066), as well as the total score of questionnaire (P = 0. 012). Treatment need based on dental health component had no statistically significant relationship with PIDAQ score (P > 0. 05). Conclusion: AC of IOTN had significant relationship with dental self-confidence, social impact and psychological impact as well as the total score of PIDAQ. In orthodontic treatments, in addition to malocclusion, the psychological aspects should also be considered.