Resumo

GARCIA, Gustavo et al. Influence of subjective determinants on the decision for orthodontic treatment in different dental caries prevalence. RFO UPF [online]. 2012, vol.17, n.3, pp. 303-308. ISSN 1413-4012.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the influence of subjective determinants on orthodontic treatment of different dental caries prevalence, in 15 year-old adolescents from the city of Piracicaba, SP. Methods: The design followed the order: calibration of examiners; assessment of caries prevalence; need for orthodontic treatment (DAI and DHC-IOTN indexes) and subjective variables (self-esteem: GSE, self-assessment: AC-IOTN, self-perception: OASIS, and declared orthodontic interest). This was a cross-sectional observational study with cluster sampling of 528 adolescents selected from 10 public schools. Results: There was no statistical significance when considering the influence of dental caries, self-esteem, and interest on the need for orthodontic treatment determined by the IOTN and DAI indexes. When considering self-perception, statistical significance was observed for the need of treatment determined by IOTN and DAI indexes. Conclusion: It was concluded that the prevalence of dental caries was not associated with need for orthodontic treatment, and among all the subjective variables, self-perception was important in the decision for orthodontic treatment.

Palavras-chave : Dental caries.; Orthodontics.; Epidemiology.; Self-perception..