Sex differences in the uptake of orthodontic services among adolescents in the United States

Introduction The purpose of this study was to test whether girls are treated orthodontically for milder occlusal issues than are boys, thus accounting for the greater uptake of orthodontic services among girls compared with boys. Methods The dental aesthetic index (DAI) was used to score the severit...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:American journal of orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics 2011-10, Vol.140 (4), p.543-549
Main Authors: Harris, Edward F, Glassell, Brenton E
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Biological and medical sciences
Dental Clinics
Dentistry
Diastema - pathology
Esthetics, Dental
Female
Humans
Incisor - pathology
Male
Malocclusion - classification
Malocclusion - pathology
Medical sciences
Needs Assessment
Open Bite - classification
Open Bite - pathology
Orthodontics, Corrective - utilization
Otorhinolaryngology. Stomatology
Private Practice
Sex Factors
Tooth Loss - classification
Tooth Loss - pathology
United States
Universities
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Summary:Introduction The purpose of this study was to test whether girls are treated orthodontically for milder occlusal issues than are boys, thus accounting for the greater uptake of orthodontic services among girls compared with boys. Methods The dental aesthetic index (DAI) was used to score the severity of esthetic occlusal issues in 357 white adolescents. Half of the subjects were from private practices; the others were from a university specialty clinic. Results Average DAI scores were statistically significantly lower (milder) in girls than boys in both venues; this confirms the assumption that the actual uptake of services is greater in girls because of heightened concern for their esthetic occlusal issues. Average DAI scores predictably were higher in the teaching setting because of selection for more complex cases, but the sex difference was still evident statistically. There was no association between DAI score and age at the start of treatment among these adolescents. Spacing and incisor irregularity showed the greatest sex differences among the DAI variables, possibly because girls are more attuned to these esthetic issues. Conclusions These results complement studies that have recorded adolescents’ perceptions of orthodontic need. The actual uptake of orthodontic treatment is greater in girls because they (and their parents) seek treatment for milder occlusal issues.
ISSN:0889-5406
1097-6752
DOI:10.1016/j.ajodo.2010.11.023