This study intended to figure out whether the children aged 1-18 years in our country experienced
orthodontic treatment or not, by which to analyze socioeconomic factors deciding orthodontic treatment and
the demand for it, and also to examine the oral health status according to the experience of orthodontic
treatment. The subjects of 5,134, whose one or both of parents had completed oral health examination and
a survey, who participated in the 5th KNHANES (a cross-sectional survey conducted by the Korea Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention) were selected for analysis. The chi-square analysis of general
characteristics and the oral health status according to whether or not experienced orthodontic treatment was
conducted, and the logistic regression analysis of the correlation between socioeconomic factors and whether
or not experienced orthodontic treatment was implemented. 31.6% of the study subjects were orthodontic
treatment experience. Prevalence of these was significantly higher among the girls. Logistic regression
showed that girls(OR=1.47, 95% CI:1.18-1.83), higher income level(OR=2.51, 95% CI:1.43-2.80) and higher
mother`s education level(OR=2.60, 95% CI:1.80-3.76) were more likely to have orthodontic treatment
experience. Considering the difference among subjects for the experience of orthodontic treatment, it is
required to adjust the imbalance of medical resources for the demand of orthodontic treatment with lots of
non-insured items.