Occlusal Outcome Assessment of Orthodontic Treatments Performed at An Educational Institute in Dubai

Abstract

The study aims to assess occlusal outcome of comprehensive orthodontic treatments performed by postgraduate students at an educational institute in Dubai. Consecutive patients’ files, including dental casts, were selected from the archives of the Boston University – Dubai (BU-D) (2008-2012), which have been transferred to the Hamdan Bin Mohammed College of Dental Medicine. The final sample was formed following application of certain inclusion criteria and consisted of 30 patients with permanent dentition who received comprehensive orthodontic treatment by means of fixed appliances in both dental arches. All pre- and post-treatment dental casts were blindly assessed by the author using the Peer Assessment Rating (PAR) and Index of Complexity and Need (ICON) indices. In order to test the intra-examiner reliability, the examiner re-assessed 15 cases, which were randomly selected from the original sample, one week after the initial examinations. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, paired t-test, Neymman Pearson correlation coefficient and linear regression. The level of significance was set at p<0.05. The intra-examiner reliability was assessed using paired t-test and found high. Occlusal outcome related to orthodontic care provided was characterized by significant improvement. Mean PAR changed from 19.43 before treatment to 4.63 after (p<0.001). Mean ICON changed from 53.96 before treatment to 19.06 after (p<0.001). According to PAR 46.67% of patients “greatly improved” and 36.67% “improved”, respectively. According to ICON 23.33% of patients “greatly improved”, 20% “substantially improved” and 36.67% “moderately improved”, respectively. Patients treated at the Postgraduate Orthodontic Program of BU-D demonstrated significant improvement of their occlusion.