OBJECTIVETo evaluate the prevalence of malocclusion and orthodontic treatment priority in adolescent.

METHODS591 boys and 567 girls (aged 12 years old) were studied with their study models and the treatment priority index (TPI) were obtained.

RESULTS7.03% adolescent had orthodontic treatments (TPI 1:21.33%, TPI 2:47.06%, TPI 3-TPI 5:31.61%).

CONCLUSIONTPI is a valid tool to evaluate malocclusion and orthodontic treatment priority. It's very important to establish a regular examination system need for orthodontic treatment in school.

Adolescent ; Child ; China ; epidemiology ; Dental Health Surveys ; Female ; Health Services Needs and Demand ; statistics & numerical data ; Humans ; Male ; Malocclusion ; epidemiology ; therapy ; Observer Variation ; Orthodontics, Corrective ; statistics & numerical data ; Prevalence ; Severity of Illness Index