IOTN

The Index of Treatment Need is used to assess children for eligibility for NHS orthodontic treatment on dental health grounds.

The Dental Health Component has five grades –

Grade 1           is almost perfection.

Grade 2           mild irregularities including slight protrusion.

Grade 3           is for greater irregularities which normally do not need treatment
                        for health reasons.

Grade 4           more severe degrees of irregularity.

Grade 5           the most severe dental problems.

The Aesthetic Component

This is a set of 10 photographs showing varying degrees of irregularity and is used to assess Grade 3 patients for suitability for NHS treatment on grounds of poor appearance.