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New study finds misaligned teeth could be linked to bullying

According to the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO), most orthodontists in the U.S. have seen evidence of bullying among their patients with noticeable teeth problems. (Photo: www.sxc.hu)
Dental Tribune USA

Dental Tribune USA

Wed. 11 December 2013

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NEW YORK, N.Y., USA: Having “ugly” teeth may be a significant cause of bullying, according to a new study just published in the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics. According to the study, kids with buck teeth, gaps in their teeth, crowded or missing teeth, are more likely to be the target of bullying.

The study was conducted among 920 11- and 12-year- olds at randomly selected schools in Amman, Jordan. Dento facial features were rated first, followed by strength and weight.

According to the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO), most orthodontists in the U.S. have seen evidence of bullying among their patients with noticeable teeth problems, but the new study is one of the first to directly quantify how bad the problem is.

To help combat the problem among underserved children, American orthodontists have created a number of networks to provide low-cost or free treatment to children with severe problems.

Dr. Zaid Al-Bitar, head of the Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry department at the University of Jordan and one of the study’s authors, created a summary video of the study, which can be found at www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ra-TPj0A8as.

(Source: American Association of Orthodontists)

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