TY - JOUR A1 - Tungaraza, Joseph A1 - Mtaya-Mlangwa, Matilda A1 - Mugonzibwa, Abella T1 - Assessment of early orthodontic treatment need and its relationship with sociodemographic characteristics among Tanzanian children using index for preventive and interceptive orthodontic treatment need Y1 - 2019/4/1 JF - International Journal of Orthodontic Rehabilitation JO - Int J Orthod Rehabil SP - 57 EP - 64 VL - 10 IS - 2 UR - https://www.orthodrehab.org/article.asp?issn=2349-5243;year=2019;volume=10;issue=2;spage=57;epage=64;aulast=Tungaraza DO - 10.4103/ijor.ijor_15_19 N2 - Background: Early orthodontic treatment (EOT) aims at identifying and intervening occlusal conditions in primary and early-mixed dentition. Aim: This study aimed at assessing EOT need and its relationship with sociodemographic characteristics using the index for preventive and interceptive orthodontic treatment needs (IPION) among schoolchildren in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Study Setting and Design: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among schoolchildren aged 6 and 9 years. Materials and Methods: Schoolchildren were selected by multistage cluster sampling technique. Questionnaires were used to obtain sociodemographic information; clinical examinations were done to record schoolchildren's IPION scores. Statistical Analysis Used: Data were analyzed using a computer software, SPSS version 20.0. Chi-square test was used for assessing statistical differences between variables; P value was set at P < 0.05. Results: A total of 667 schoolchildren were involved (59.5% girls; 52.5% 9-year-olds). In 6-year-olds, 77.9% had caries, and in 9-year-olds, 60% had caries. Lower-second primary molars were the most common prematurely lost teeth. Increased overjet was the most frequently recorded occlusal anomaly. Many 9-year-old boys than girls had caries (67.4% vs. 55.5%, P = 0.032). Six-year-olds with mothers who were homemakers compared to those with employed mothers experienced caries (81.7% vs. 71.0%, P = 0.034). Overall, 67.2% and 41.7% of the participants had EOT need and definite EOT need, respectively. Conclusion: EOT need for malocclusions was high in the involved school children, these will thus benefit from preventive and interceptive orthodontic treatment programs. ER -