Objective: This study was carried out to assess and compare the normative orthodontic treatment need of adolescents aged 12 to 16 years from the three major ethnic groups in Nigeria. Methods: The study population comprised one thousand, four hundred and forty-nine (1449) adolescents selected from nine public schools within nine Local Government Areas from three (3) selected states (Lagos, Kano, Imo) in Nigeria. Randomization based on multistage sampling technique was used to determine the selected participants. Consent and assent forms were duly completed and signed by parents and participants respectively. Participants’ parents were from the same ethnic group. Oral examination of the participants was done and their normative treatment need assessed following the standard protocols of Index of Complexity, Outcome and Need. (ICON) Data collected were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science version 20.0. Descriptive, as well as parametric (ANOVA) and non-parametric (Chi-square) statistical analyses were conducted. Results: Normative (objective) orthodontic treatment need was observed in 27.7%, 31.5% and 42.8% of Igbo, Hausa and Yoruba adolescents, respectively. The mean ICON scores recorded were for Hausa, 33.0±16.1 (SD), 32.1 ± 16.6 (SD) for Igbo and 34.8 ± 16.2 (SD) for the Yoruba, with a statistically significant difference noted among the groups. The mean scores were 33.9 ± 16.2 for males and 32.8 ± 16.4 for females while the combined population mean was 33.4 ±16.3. The males had more orthodontic treatment need than the females in the combined population. Conclusion: Yoruba adolescents statistically had the greatest normative orthodontic treatment need while Igbo adolescents had the least among the three major Nigerian tribes.

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