Dutch primary schoolchildren’s attitudes toward their dental appearance

Purpose: This study's purpose was to examine children's attitudes toward dental appearance and compare these with attitudes toward general health, body shape, grades in school, friends, money, and sports. The study also explored whether subjects reporting that they have attractive teeth believed themselves to have higher grades in school, more friends, a slim body shape, and better health than subjects reporting that they have unattractive teeth. Methods: A sample of 216 9- to 13-year-old Dutch children participated. The methods of paired comparisons and direct ranking were used to investigate children's judgments about the importance of dental appearance. The subjects were also asked to indicate how strongly they believed that they had high grades in school, a lot of friends, money, success in sports, attractive teeth, a slim body shape, and good health. Results: High grades in school, a slim body shape, good health, a lot of friends, and more money were preferred to attractive teeth. Children reporting that they have attractive teeth believed themselves to have higher grades in school, a slimmer body shape, more friends, more money, and better health than children reporting that they have unattractive teeth. Conclusions: Although attractive teeth are highly valued in general, children give priority to other issues in their lives.