Association between malocclusion severity and dental self-confidence among adolescents in aceh, Indonesia: A cross-sectional study

Dental aesthetics and oral health play a crucial role in shaping adolescents’ dental self-confidence. Sociodemographic factors, alongside clinical dental conditions, may influence self-perception and psychosocial well-being. This study aims to examine the association between individual characteristics, dental aesthetic components, namely the Aesthetic Component (AC) and Dental Health Component (DHC), and dental self-confidence among Indonesian adolescents. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 274 high school students. Data were collected through clinical examinations using the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN) (AC and DHC) and questionnaires measuring dental self-confidence (PIDAQ items 1–6) and oral health impact (OHIP-14, chewing and speech difficulties). Higher DHC scores were associated with lower dental self-confidence (B = -1.12; β = -0.30), female gender (B = -1.53; β = -0.17), and maternal education at the primary level (B = -2.51; β = -0.25). Family income showed a negative but non-significant association (p = 0.053). Other variables, including AC, age, paternal education, frequency of dental visits, and chewing/speech difficulties, were not associated with dental self-confidence. Severity of malocclusion, gender, and maternal education were significantly associated with adolescents’ dental self-confidence in this population.