COMPARISON BETWEEN DENTISTRY AND NONDENTISTRY UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS’ SELFPERCEPTION REGARDING THE AESTHETICS OF THEIR OWN SMILE AND FACIAL PROFILE

Abstract

Introduction: the study aimed to compare how undergraduate dentistry students (DS) and non-dentistry students (NDS) analyze and classify their own smile and facial profile. Materials and Methods: the cross-sectional study questionnaire included topics for the identification of the respondent; Likert scale and aesthetic component of the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN) to assess satisfaction with one’s own smile; facial profile attractiveness using Turkkahraman and Gokalp scale and previous history of orthodontic treatment. Intra and intergroup data were analyzed by chi-square test with 95% confidence (p<0.05) using SPSS 13.0 software. Results: 483 questionnaires were answered, 166 from DS and 317 from NDS. Most participants considered their occlusion as ideal and pleasant  (DS - 79.27%; NDS - 79.8%) and their profile as slightly convex (DS -

80.6%; NDS - 76%). The slightly convex profile was also preferred by both groups for both genders. 71% of the DS and 66.0% of the NDS reported having undergone orthodontic treatment. Most respondents were satisfied or very satisfied with their smile, however the NDS had a higher prevalence of students very satisfied with their smile (p<0.05). Conclusion: the choice of course does not seem to have any influence on the analysis and classification of the smile and facial profile, perhaps because most of them have already undergone orthodontic treatment.