Background:Hygiene maintenance holds the highest regard in a dental workspace and plays a pivotal role in the overall success of any clinical setup. Dental health professionals, along with patients, are at equal chances of exposure to noxious stimuli. Hence, cross-contamination among patients may adversely affect the outcome as well as the prognosis of a treatment.Objectives:The objective was to gather notable data on the perceived notion of workspace hygiene maintenance of dental practitioners and to assess the willingness to attend future workshops practicing in Lucknow city.Methodology:This cross-sectional study was conducted among 126 dental practitioners based in Lucknow city. A prevalidated 17-item questionnaire was sent through Google Form link and a self-generated quick response code via WhatsApp to practicing dentists. Descriptive statistics and the logistic regression method were applied to check the significance and correlation between the undertaken variables.Results:The data revealed that the majority of respondents (66.7%) had a postgraduation degree in dentistry. Seventy 2% favored hand hygiene practices before and after each patient. Eighty-five participants (67.5%) admitted to inadvertently examining multiple patients with the same pair of gloves. A combined 86.5% believed that visual hygiene representations are pertinent in clinical areas. The logistic regression analysis showed a significant association between the years of experience and willingness to attend future workshops on the same.Conclusion:The majority of the dental professionals show compliance with hygiene measures, although the findings highlight variability in adherence to recommended protocols. There is a need to acknowledge the gaps owing to individual preferences in its practice. This will further pave the way for future workshops to enhance dental workspace hygiene.
Background:What really makes any new patients' to choose their dentist/dental practice has been evolved from last two decades.Objective:To assess the role of digital media in the patients' choice of oral health care facilities in an urban and adjacent rural communities in Andhra Pradesh state, India.Materials and Methods:This cross-sectional study used a pretested questionnaire for data collection. Participants were selected from one urban and two rural areas of Tadepalligudem mandal, Andhra Pradesh state, India using stratified cluster sampling methods. Data were collected with a selfadministered questionnaire which has 18 questions and investigators readout the questionnaire for the illiterate participants. Descriptive statistics were calculated initially, followed by bivariate analysis with Mann-Whitney and Chi-square tests. P <= 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results:Data from 710 participants were included in the final analysis. More than half (58%) of the participants used digital media while choosing dentist/dental practice followed by suggestion of friends and family (17.8%) and refereed by their general physician (11.83%). Among the people who used digital media, 27.75% gave importance for the customer reviews, followed by professional qualification of the dentist (18.59%) and the distance or travel time to reach the dentist (12.54%). One-third (34.8%) of them indicated that they solely rely on digital media in choosing dentist/dental practice and others relied on more than one method.Conclusions:Digital media plays an important role in improving patients' base. Dental practices should acknowledge its importance and incorporate in their marketing strategies.
Objective:The study was conducted to analyze the distribution of dental services in a Tier II city of India and to study the spatial accessibility of dental service providers with respect to the population.Methodology:The city with a population of 3.5 million (2011 census) was analyzed for the distribution of dental care facilities. A total of 350 dental facilities were identified. Geocoding of the locations was completed using the GPS RECIEVER, by which geographic coordinates of latitudes and longitudes were assigned to the physical addresses of the location. The population data was obtained from the population census data of 2011.Results:There were a total of 8 Community Health Centres, 2 Government hospitals offering dental treatment, and 340 private dental clinics for a population of around 1,757,763 residents. The overall practice-to-population ratio was found to be approximately 1:5022, implying that there was 1 dental clinic per 5022 people. It was observed that the least number of facilities were present in the radius zone of 0.5 km from the city center. Maximum facilities were present in the 5 km radius buffer zone, constituting more than half of the facilities (206).Conclusion:Most of the dental facilities were private practices. They were found to be unevenly distributed. And the dental clinics were concentrated in areas of higher population density and better economic disposition. Though the practice population ratio was 1:5022, similar to that reported in developed countries, it gives a fallacious presentation on the spread of dental facilities.
Background:The consistent and thorough removal of plaque with daily brushing and flossing is crucial for preventing tartar buildup and maintaining overall oral hygiene. To control plastic pollution and as a step toward a greener environment, we can start using natural, biodegradable bamboo toothbrushes as an alternative to synthetic, nonbiodegradable toothbrushes.Aim:The aim of the study was to compare the efficacy of natural toothbrush (biodegradable bamboo toothbrush) versus synthetic toothbrush in patients with gingivitis.Materials and Methods:The study was conducted among 30 patients with gingivitis, including 15 patients in each group. The duration of the study was 90 days, 45 days for each toothbrush. At baseline, case history and scores of gingival, plaque, and oral hygiene index simplified (OHIS) indices were recorded. Full mouth ultrasonic scaling was done. A demonstration of the modified bass method of brushing technique was given, and they were instructed to use the assigned toothbrush technique. A brushing chart was given to mark as soon as they brush in the morning and at night. The patients in Group A were instructed to use a bamboo toothbrush for the first 45 days and a synthetic toothbrush for the next 45 days, and the patients in Group B were instructed to use a synthetic toothbrush for the first 45 days and a bamboo toothbrush for the next 45 days. They were given an appointment on the 45th day and 90th day for recording the indices.Results:To determine the importance of study parameters between the groups, the data were examined using unpaired "t" and analysis of variance; to determine the significance of study parameters within the group, the paired t-test was employed. There was a difference in mean plaque, gingival, and OHIS scores between the bamboo toothbrush group and the synthetic toothbrush group, but it was not statistically significant.Conclusion:The study results revealed that the biodegradable bamboo toothbrushes are as effective at removing plaque and maintaining oral hygiene as nonbiodegradable synthetic ones. Natural toothbrushes are equally effective as conventional toothbrushes for plaque removal, also eco-friendly and biodegradable. Therefore, people can switch to bamboo toothbrushes to reduce the impact of plastics on the environment without sacrificing oral care.
Background:The pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 exerted a profound ill effect on the physical and mental well-being of people around the world. Further, the increased mortality and long-term ill effects affected the population in numerous ways. The present study aimed to explore the lived psychosocial experiences of COVID-19 survivors.Materials and Methods:The present qualitative research was conducted using a semi-structured interview with COVID-19 survivors selected through maximum variation purposive sampling. The data were collected through in-depth telephonic interviews. Transcripts were made by listening to the audio clips of the interview and taking notes from it. The data were analyzed by Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis using the seven steps.Results:The psychosocial experiences of COVID-19 survivors could be summarized into three themes and nine subthemes. The themes related to the participant's psychological aspects are the realization of the value of health, the importance of family members, and the negative influence of social media. Social themes encompassed loneliness, insomnia, and emotional turmoil, while under the economic viewpoint, getting loans for health care, reduced working hours due to slow recovery, and reduced spending capacity were the subthemes.Conclusion:Although participants had some positive experiences, they also endured misfortune in both physical and psychosocial aspects. To help COVID-19 survivors and their families in such grim circumstances, the existing psychosocial health services should be deliberately integrated and improved within the medical care system.
Context:Conventional treatments for caries lack microbial specificity, often failing to address the root cause. Bacteriophage therapy, which uses viruses that selectively target and lyse the bacteria, has emerged as a promising alternative.Aims:To isolate Streptococcus mutans-specific bacteriophages from saliva and other sources, and to evaluate and compare their therapeutic potential against microorganisms associated with dental caries.Materials and Methods:A purposive sampling technique was employed, and saliva and dental plaque samples were collected from healthy children aged 6-14 years for bacterial culture. Bacteriophages were isolated from saliva and various water sources. The lytic activity of the isolated phages was assessed by measuring the optical density (OD) of the biofilm mass by spectrophotometry at 24-and 72-h, followed by assessment using Tukey's post hoc analysis.Results:At both 24 and 72 h, a significant reduction in OD was observed in the bacteriophage and chlorhexidine groups compared to the control. At 72 h, the bacteriophage group showed the greatest OD reduction, followed by chlorhexidine and control.Conclusions:Bacteriophages exhibit promising antimicrobial properties that are more effective against S. mutans pathogens on long-term contact compared to chlorhexidine groups.
Aim:The aim of the study is to assess the erroneous application of statistical tests in the articles published by the Indian National Dental Associations' Journals and to communicate with the corresponding authors to reflect upon the conduct of statistical analysis.Methodology:All original articles published from January to June 2019 in the Indian National Dental Associations' Journals were assessed for erroneous application of statistical tests. Statistical accuracy was independently assessed by two reviewers, with expert input from a biostatistician, based on the appropriateness of test selection, compatibility with data type, reporting of assumptions, and interpretation of results. Variables indicative of statistical rigor, including study design, data type, statistical tests used, assumption reporting, and statistical errors, were extracted. Emails were sent to the corresponding authors to reflect upon their conduct of statistical analysis.Results:A total of 256 original articles were assessed, of which only 21 articles mentioned the normality of the data. Chi-square test (31.6%) was the most frequently used test, followed by ANOVA test (28.9%) and unpaired t-test (23.8%). Some of the statistical lapses observed were performing a Chi-square test to compare means between groups, using an unpaired t-test for a split-mouth study, and performing a t-test for categorical data. A response rate of 7.8% was observed when emails were sent to the corresponding authors regarding the statistical assistance availed by them.Conclusion:The study indicates that statistical analyses in the Indian National Dental Associations' Journals require greater scrutiny, with stricter peer-review measures and the inclusion of statisticians with expertise and insight into dental research to ensure accurate results.
Background:Down syndrome (DS) is a genetic disorder produced by the (complete or partial) presence of three copies of chromosome 21.Aim:This study aimed to determine the prevalence of certain oral characteristics usually associated with DS and to determine the oral health status of these patients.Materials and Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted among 284 subjects aged 18 years or below visiting outreach camps organized by a dental college in Dibrugarh district. A pretested questionnaire was used to assess demographic variables and oral hygiene practices. DMFT and dmft indices are used to record dental caries, and the oral hygiene index-simplified (OHI-S) index to record oral hygiene status. Statistical analysis was done by the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0.Results:The mean age of study subjects was observed to be 6 +/- 2.06 years. The mean DMFT of study subjects was reported to be 3.25 +/- 1.2, whereas dmft was recorded to be 2.36 +/- 0.21. The mean OHI-S status, Plaque index, Calculus index and Gingival index of the study subjects were reported to be 3.43 +/- 0.27, 1.15 +/- 0.9, 0.67 +/- 0.9 and 2.84 +/- 0.82, respectively.Conclusion:The study concluded that a high rate of dental caries, poor oral health hygiene status, and low dental visits are all indicators of reduced oral health in this population.
Microplastics have emerged as a pervasive environmental pollutant with significant ecological and health implications. Once released into natural systems, these particles rarely exist in their pristine form; instead, they rapidly acquire a dynamic layer of biomolecules, natural organic matter, microbes, and pollutants known as the eco-corona. This environmental coating fundamentally alters the physicochemical identity of microplastics, restructuring their environmental fate, interactions with organisms, and toxicological potential. Particular emphasis is placed on biological outcomes, including altered uptake, immunological responses, and trophic transfer, as well as emerging insights into human exposure and health risks. Despite recent advancements in microplastics research, critical gaps remain in linking eco-corona composition to long-term environmental and health outcomes. Challenges include the lack of standardized methods, limited in vivo studies, and insufficient integration of eco-corona effects into risk assessments. Addressing these gaps will require interdisciplinary approaches that span environmental chemistry, toxicology, and public health. In this narrative review, we synthesize current evidence on the processes driving eco-corona formation, the ecological factors that influence its composition, the biological implications for the human body, particularly oral health, and the analytical approaches used for its characterization. We further highlight how eco-corona development modulates microplastic transport, bioavailability, and interactions with co-contaminants, thereby influencing ecosystem dynamics and pollutant cycling. By focusing on the eco-corona as a key factor affecting microplastic effects, this review highlights the significance of improving scientific knowledge, legal frameworks, and long-term solutions to plastic pollution.
Introduction: Traumatic dental injuries (TDIs) are common in contact sports, especially among children and adolescents. Martial arts such as taekwondo and judo involve physical interactions that elevate the risk of orofacial injuries. Despite growing participation in these sports among Indian youth, epidemiological data on TDIs in this group are scarce. Identifying the prevalence and risk factors is essential for targeted prevention efforts. Subjects and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 233 athletes aged 6-14 years from taekwondo (n = 173) and judo (n = 60) centers in South Gujarat (Surat, Navsari, Valsad, and Bharuch). Participants who had at least 6 months of training were included. Data were collected through a structured pro forma and clinical examination. Variables recorded included demographics, sport type, trauma history, molar relationship, mouthguard use, overjet (>3 mm), and lip coverage. The Chi-square test assessed the associations between TDIs and associated factors (P <= 0.05) with 95% confidence interval. Results: The study found 6.8% (n = 16/233) prevalence of TDI, higher in judo 8.3% (n = 5/60) than taekwondo 6.4% (n = 11/173). Soft-tissue injury was the most common 62.5% (n = 10/16) followed by hard-tissue injury. Enamel fractures 18.75% (n = 3/16) were more common than enamel-dentin fracture 12.5% (n = 2/16) and avulsion 6.25% (n = 1). Maxillary central incisors were most affected. A significant association was found between inadequate lip coverage and TDIs (P = 0.002) and was found to be statistically significant. No statistical significant association was found between overjet and angles molar relation. Mouthguard use was low (19.3%) and no association was found between its use and TDI. Conclusion: Young taekwondo and judo athletes in South Gujarat face a notable risk of TDIs, particularly those with increased overjet. Low mouthguard use highlights the need for preventive measures, including education, policy changes, and awareness programs to protect young athletes' oral health.
Background: Tobacco use remains a major public health concern, with both smoking and smokeless forms contributing significantly to morbidity and mortality. Patterns of consumption and nicotine dependence vary widely across demographic, socioeconomic, and occupational groups. Aim: To compare the patterns of tobacco use and nicotine dependence among smokers and smokeless tobacco users in Jammu city. Materials and Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted among 370 participants in Jammu city. The data were collected using a structured questionnaire assessing demographic characteristics, patterns of tobacco use, and nicotine dependence. Dependence levels were measured using a standardized assessment tool. Results: Cigarette smoking (61.62%) was the most prevalent smoking form, while ghutka (41.08%) was the most commonly used smokeless tobacco product. Smoking was predominantly observed among educated, skilled, and upper-middle socioeconomic groups, while smokeless tobacco use was more common among illiterate, unskilled, and lower socioeconomic populations. The nicotine dependence levels were moderate to high among smokers, whereas smokeless tobacco users demonstrated predominantly high levels of nicotine dependence with a mean Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence of 6.3 +/- 1.18 and 8.1 +/- 1.94, respectively, and this difference was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Understanding the sociocultural and economic determinants of tobacco use, as well as the nicotine dependence patterns, can enable policymakers and healthcare providers to design more effective, evidence-based prevention and cessation strategies aimed at reducing tobacco-related morbidity in the region.
Introduction:Local dietary practices may be shaped by climatic conditions (carbohydrate-rich foods), plus urbanization and socioeconomic transitions may have increased the accessibility to processed and sugary foods, particularly among schoolchildren, which may lead to high caries experience among a geographically unique population. Therefore, the present study was conducted to evaluate the association of cariogenic diet and body mass index (BMI) with dental caries among 12- and 15-year-old schoolchildren in Shimla.Materials and Methods:Between May 2024 and October 2024, a cross-sectional study was carried out among students attending government and private schools in Shimla City. Data regarding demographic information, dietary habits, and dentition status were collected and analyzed using SPSS version 26. Statistical tests included the Mann-Whitney test, the Kruskal-Wallis test, Pearson's Chi-square test, Post hoc and regression analysis. The P <= 0.05 was defined as statistically significant.Results:Children with a good sweet score had 1.54 times higher odds of experiencing caries compared with those in the excellent category (adjusted odds ratios [aOR] = 1.54; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.27-1.87; P = 0.002), and children in the Watch-out zone had almost three times higher odds of caries experience (aOR = 2.91; 95% CI: 2.45-3.46; P = 0.001). BMI categories did not show any significant independent associations with caries experience after adjustment.Conclusion:The present study demonstrated that dietary sugar exposure was a significant predictor of caries experience among schoolchildren, with caries risk increasing from the excellent to the watch-out categories, whereas BMI may not be a reliable proxy for caries experience.
Background: Oral health education (OHE) is routinely delivered by the dentist. Another approach of OHE is to teach students by their peers. This study evaluated the effectiveness of peer-led and dentist-led OHE strategies among the children in residential homes. Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted among 11-14-year-old children living in residential homes of Bengalurucity. A sample size of 50 each in peer and dentist-led groups was estimated. OHE was provided in both groups using PowerPoint presentation, models and posters by the investigator. Both the groups received questionnaires and intra-oral examination at baseline, 3 (rd )and 6 (th )months. The following questionnaires were administered (i) modified child dental anxiety scale (f) (ii) Child Perception Questionnaire (11-14 )(CPQ (11-14 )) (iii) Oral health knowledge (OHK), attitude and behavior questionnaire. Intraoral assessment to assess Decayed, Missing, Filled teeth was done using the World Health Organization oral health assessment form for children 2013, along with plaque index (PI) and gingival index (GI). Data were analyzed using Chi-square test and ANOVA with post hoc Tukey test. A P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The mean age of the subjects among the peer and dentist-led groups was 12.94 +/- 1.04 years and 12.90 +/- 1.03 years, respectively ( P > 0.001). The CPQ (11-14 )scores were found to be reduced in both groups from 3 (rd )to 6 (th )month ( P < 0.001). The OHK, attitude, and behavior scores increased from 3 (rd )to 6 (th )month ( P < 0.001) in both the groups. The mean of PI and GI reduced from baseline to 6 (th )month in both the groups ( P < 0.001). Conclusion: The peer-led strategy is as effective as the dentist-led strategy of OHE. Hence, peer leaders can be utilized to deliver oral health information.
The growing concern for environmental sustainability has influenced every sector of healthcare, including dentistry. Dental practice, although patient-centered, contributes significantly to environmental challenges through excessive use of single-use plastics, chemical disinfectants, energy consumption, and biomedical waste generation. Sustainable dentistry, also known as green dentistry, emphasizes eco-friendly practices that reduce the ecological footprint while maintaining the high standards of patient care. This article explores the concept of sustainable dentistry, highlighting strategies for waste reduction, resource optimization, and environmentally conscious clinical approaches. Key eco-friendly practices include minimizing single-use items through the adoption of reusable or biodegradable alternatives, safe disposal and recycling of dental materials, digitalization to reduce paper and film-based radiography, and the integration of energy-efficient equipment. Water conservation, proper segregation of biomedical waste, and responsible management of amalgam and chemical effluents are critical for reducing environmental hazards. Moreover, the adoption of renewable energy sources, green building designs for dental clinics, and the use of nontoxic sterilization methods further support conscious practice. In addition to environmental benefits, sustainable dentistry offers economic advantages by lowering long-term operational costs and enhancing the reputation of dental professionals committed to social responsibility. By integrating these initiatives, dentistry can transition from resource-intensive model to a preventive, patient-friendly, and environmentally responsible practice. This article summarizes the scientific literature surrounding the importance of adopting green dentistry principles as an integral part of professional responsibility and public health advancement. In addition, this review article aims to contribute the potential benefits, applications, challenges, and future directions in the field of sustainable dentistry.
Introduction:Dental anxiety is a common psychological challenge in dentistry, often interfering with treatment compliance and patient outcomes. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) approaches, such as aromatherapy, are increasingly explored as safe, nonpharmacological methods to alleviate anxiety. This study evaluated the effectiveness of lavender and chamomile oil aromatherapy in reducing dental anxiety among outpatients. Materials and Methods:A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 90 outpatients selected through simple random sampling. Participants were allocated into three groups: lavender aromatherapy, chamomile aromatherapy, and placebo. Subjective anxiety was assessed using the validated modified dental anxiety scale (MDAS), whereas physiological measures included heart rate and blood pressure, recorded before and after intervention. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS (version 25), applying the Chi-square test, paired t-test, and ANOVA. Results:Both lavender and chamomile groups demonstrated a significant reduction in questionnaire-based anxiety scores compared to placebo (P < 0.05). Heart rate changes followed a similar trend but were not statistically significant. For blood pressure, lavender oil showed a mean reduction of 6.36 mmHg, and chamomile oil showed a smaller reduction of 0.46 mmHg; however, these changes were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The placebo group showed no meaningful change. Conclusion:Aromatherapy with lavender and chamomile oils appears effective in reducing dental anxiety at a subjective level, although physiological changes in blood pressure and heart rate were inconsistent and of limited clinical importance. Larger trials with standardized protocols are warranted to confirm feasibility in dental practice.
Introduction:To evaluate and compare salivary pH changes at different time intervals to chocolates with varying concentrations of cocoa among low and high caries risk group children.Materials and Methods:The parallel arm, double-blinded, uncontrolled matched pair clinical trial was set. Fifty healthy children aged, 7-10 years were selected based on a customized Food Frequency Questionnaire related to the intake and frequency of commonly consumed sugary snacks. Children who consume chocolates daily were assigned into low- and high-risk groups, 25 each, based on the american academy of pediatric dentistry (AAPD) caries risk assessment tool. Four chocolates with varying cocoa content (70%, 50%, 30%, and 0%) were randomly given for consumption, and salivary pH was recorded at baseline, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 30-min time intervals.Results:One-way ANOVA, post-hoc, and paired t-tests were used to analyze the results by SPSS software. Statistically significant variations in the salivary pH at 10 min postconsumption interval were observed between high and low caries risk group children to dark chocolates with 50% cocoa content. Although a statistically significant difference was not observed between the other chocolates, dark chocolates with 70% cocoa were found to have the least drop in salivary pH at 10 min and white chocolate was found to have a maximum pH drop at 10 min in a high caries risk group. In contrast, milk chocolate caused maximum pH in a low caries risk group, at 10 min.Conclusion:Dark chocolate with 50% cocoa exhibited a more acidogenic response in the high and low caries risk groups. Dark chocolates with 70% cocoa content are the least acidogenic.
Introduction:Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is a chronic, progressive, potentially malignant disorder strongly associated with areca nut and smokeless tobacco use. In addition to functional limitations, OSMF may significantly influence oral health status, yet limited data exist on dental caries and periodontal conditions among affected individuals. Materials and Methods:A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 61 clinically diagnosed OSMF patients attending a tertiary care dental institution. Data were collected using the World Health Organization Oral Health Assessment Pro forma (2013). Sociodemographic details, habit patterns, dentition status, dental caries experience (Decayed Missing and Filled Teeth [DMFT]), periodontal status, loss of attachment, fluorosis, and oral mucosal involvement were recorded. Statistical analysis included Chi-square test and one-way ANOVA, with significance set at P < 0.05. Results:The mean age was 35.7 +/- 13.0 years, with a marked male predominance (90.2%). Smokeless tobacco use was common (73.8%), and areca nut use showed a significant association with higher OSMF grades (P = 0.005). Dental caries prevalence was 67.2%, with a mean DMFT of 2.43 +/- 2.65. Periodontal disease burden was high; however, variations across OSMF grades were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Conclusion:OSMF patients demonstrated a high burden of dental caries and periodontal disease. Integrating habit cessation, routine oral health screening, and comprehensive dental care into OSMF management is essential from a public health perspective.
Introduction: Malocclusion is not actually a disease but rather a set of different levels of deviations from optimal occlusion. When evaluating the impact of a malocclusion, it is important to consider the different domains that can be affected and their relationships to severity of malocclusion. Considerable amount of research has been conducted but not much literature is available regarding this issue among adolescents; therefore, a need is felt for conducting this study. Aim: Comparing oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL), oral function, and orofacial esthetics among adolescents with and without malocclusion visiting Tertiary Dental Institute, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire study was conducted from June 2023 to May 2024 among 100 subjects with a need for orthodontic treatment (dental health component of the index of orthodontic treatment need [IOTN-DHC] grade 4 and 5) and 100 subjects with normal occlusion (IOTN-DHC grade 1), aged 13–19 years. A questionnaire containing three parts was used: The Oral Health Impact Profile-S14, Jaw Functional Limitational Scale,-20 and Orofacial Esthetic Scale. Data collected were entered in Microsoft Excel 2007 version and analyzed using the SPSS software version 26 and P < 0.05 statistically significant. Results: Adolescents with malocclusions were more often embarrassed by their mouth and teeth compared to controls. Esthetically, adolescents with malocclusions were more negatively affected by the appearance of the mouth and teeth as well as the overall facial appearance. Conclusion: Malocclusions clearly affect the adolescents with need for orthodontic treatment in this study. It influences their OHRQoL in the psychosocial impact dimension. Esthetically, they perceive their oral and facial appearance as worse compared to controls.
