Malocclusion and orthodontic treatment need of handicapped individuals in South Canara, India.

AIMS To estimate the prevalence and the severity of malocclusion and treatment need for 329 handicapped individuals. SUBJECTS AND SETTING 329 handicapped individuals aged 11-30 years, attending eight different nonresidential special schools of South Canara, India. METHOD Examination and recording using the Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI). RESULTS 53% had a dental appearance which required no orthodontic treatment, 24% had a definite malocclusion, where treatment was 'elective' and treatment for a further 12% was considered to be 'highly desirable'. The remaining subjects (11%) had a handicapping malocclusion where treatment was considered mandatory. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of definite and severe malocclusions was higher in the mentally subnormal individuals when compared to other handicapping conditions. Orthodontic services for the handicapped have generally been neglected.