Parents’ Perception and the Need for Orthodontic Treatment in Children with Malocclusion: Impact on Quality of Life

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.70597/vozes.v14i29.1352

Keywords:

Quality of Life, Malocclusion, Child, IOTN

Abstract

Background: Malocclusion is a prevalent condition in childhood and may negatively affect psychosocial well-being and oral health–related quality of life, potentially influencing parental perceptions and family well-being. Objective: To assess parental perception of the need for orthodontic treatment in their children and to investigate its association with the presence and severity of malocclusion and children’s quality of life. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted with 99 children attending a pediatric dental clinic. Caregivers completed a sociodemographic questionnaire and the Brazilian Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (B-ECOHIS). Clinical assessment of malocclusion was performed using the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN), including the Aesthetic Component (AC) and Dental Health Component (DHC), as well as the Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI). Multivariate regression models were applied to identify factors associated with parental perception. Statistical significance was set at 5%. Results: The most prevalent conditions were dental crowding (40.4%), increased overjet (28.3%), and increased overbite (26.3%). A significant association was observed between greater normative need for orthodontic treatment and higher levels of caregiver-reported distress (p ≤ 0.041). In adjusted analysis, female sex and the presence of different types of malocclusion remained significantly associated with increased parental perception of treatment need. Conclusion: Malocclusion severity significantly influenced parental perception of orthodontic treatment need, highlighting the importance of aesthetic and psychosocial factors in pediatric oral health care.

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Author Biographies

  • Karina Kendelhy Santos, Federal University from Jequitinhonha and Mucuri's Valleys

    ORCID: 0000-0003-3393-7388. E-mail: karina.kendelhy@ufvjm.edu.br. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Odontologia, Faculdade de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri, Diamantina, Minas Gerais, Brasil.

  • Lara Moreira Jalles Milani , Federal University from Jequitinhonha and Mucuri's Valleys

    ORCID: 0009-0003-7126-6877. E-mail: lara.milani@ufvjm.edu.br. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Odontologia, Faculdade de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri, Diamantina, Minas Gerais, Brasil.

  • Raquel Gonçalves Vieira-Andrade, Federal University of Minas Gerais

    ORCID: 0000-0003-0284-7216. E-mail: raquelvieira.andrade@gmail.com. Faculdade de Odontologia, Departamento de Saúde Bucal da Criança e do Adolescente, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil.

  • Carolina Carvalho de Oliveira Santos, Federal University from Jequitinhonha and Mucuri's Valleys

    ORCID: 0000-0003-1730-8119. E-mail: santos.carolina@ufvjm.edu.br. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Odontologia, Faculdade de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri, Diamantina, Minas Gerais, Brasil.

  • Maria Eliza da Consolação Soares , Federal University from Jequitinhonha and Mucuri's Valleys

    ORCID: 0000-0002-7338-643X. E-mail: mariaeliza.soares@ufjf.br. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Odontologia, Faculdade de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri, Diamantina, Minas Gerais, Brasil.

  • Thiago Fonseca Silva , Federal University from Jequitinhonha and Mucuri's Valleys

    ORCID: 0000-0001-6721-3308. E-mail: thiagofonsecasilva@gmail.com. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Odontologia, Faculdade de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri, Diamantina, Minas Gerais, Brasil.

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Published

2026-07-23

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Vol. 14 No. 29 (2026)

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Artigos

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How to Cite

SANTOS, Karina Kendelhy; MILANI , Lara Moreira Jalles; VIEIRA-ANDRADE, Raquel Gonçalves; SANTOS, Carolina Carvalho de Oliveira; SOARES , Maria Eliza da Consolação; SILVA , Thiago Fonseca. Parents’ Perception and the Need for Orthodontic Treatment in Children with Malocclusion: Impact on Quality of Life. Revista Vozes dos Vales: Publicações Acadêmicas, [S. l.], v. 14, n. 29, p. 43–57, 2026. DOI: 10.70597/vozes.v14i29.1352. Disponível em: https://revistas.ufvjm.edu.br/index.php/vozes/article/view/1352. Acesso em: 28 jul. 2026.

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