Malocclusion and the need for orthodontic treatment in 9-year-old immigrant children in Stockholm, Sweden.

In this study the prevalence of malocclusion and the need for orthodontic treatment were studied from objective and subjective aspects in 174 immigrant children (89 boys and 85 girls). At the time of the study the children were 9 years of age. The objective need for orthodontic treatment was judged according to the 5-point scale of the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare (Medicinalstyrelsen 1966). No need for treatment (grade 0) was observed in 11% of the children and only minor treatment need (grade 1) in 29%. A desirable need for treatment (grade 2) was found in 28% of the children at the time of the examination and an urgent need for treatment (grades 3 and 4) in 32%. Twenty per cent of those with a desirable need for treatment (grade 2; 6% of all the children) will probably develop an urgent need for treatment when the mixed dentition is replaced by the permanent dentition. 56% of the children were not interested in orthodontic treatment, and 63% found the arrangement of their teeth attractive. These results are discussed in relation to earlier Scandinavian epidemiological studies.