The child perception questionnaire is valid for malocclusions in the United Kingdom.

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this study was to validate the child perception questionnaire (CPQ(11-14)) with a sample of schoolchildren in Greater Manchester, United Kingdom.

METHODS

We made a longitudinal survey of children from 1999 to 2002, using the index of orthodontic treatment need (IOTN) at baseline when the children were 11 to 12 years old, the CPQ(11-14), and their uptake of orthodontic treatment 3 years later.

RESULTS

CPQ(11-14) scores corresponded to differences in IOTN scores. These were related to the child's emotional and social well-being. Regression analysis showed that CPQ(11-14) scores were higher for girls, for higher grades of the dental health component of the IOTN, and for children who thought that their teeth needed straightening.

CONCLUSIONS

CPQ(11-14) has acceptable reliability and validity, and is likely to be a useful measure for orthodontic trials. The impact of malocclusion on a child's quality of life might be substantial.