| Medical students should have some basic knowledge about malocclusion, because they are the future general practitioners
who give primary care for all healthrelated complaints. Awareness about malocclusion and orthodontics is necessary to
provide a comprehensive treatment. Orthodontic problems are not emergency so it is often overlooked by health
professionals as less important. However various studies show that malocclusion has significant impact on the psycho
social health of the affected person. Malocclusion is the third most common oral health in the world, which is associated
with inadequate oral hygiene, periodontal diseases, temperomandibular disorders, speech problems, mouth breathing and
many more complications. Etiological factors ranges from genetic, ethnic and environmental factors. Recent studies show
increased prevelance of malocclusion. This cross sectional study involves medical students who come for clinical postings
in dental department of various medical colleges in puducherry by simple random sampling technique. Self administered
questionnaire is prepared and distributed to collect informationddd |
