Orthodontic treatment needs of 12-15-year-old students in Shiraz, Islamic Republic of Iran

The study used the Dental Aesthetic Index to evaluate the orthodontic treatment needs of adolescents from state junior high schools in Shiraz city, Islamic Republic of Iran. A random sample of 900 pupils (450 girls, and 450 boys) aged 12-15 years old, who received no orthodontic treatment before or during the study, were selected randomly over 2 months in 2004. Most of the pupils (70.1%) had normal or minor malocclusion indicating no need for orthodontic treatment. Only 4.2% had disabling malocclusion that required treatment. Severe and very severe grades of malocclusion were more common in boys than girls. Iranian youth from Shiraz had better dental appearance and needed less orthodontic treatment than other populations.