A comparison of DAI scores and characteristics of occlusal traits in three ethnic groups of Asian origin

The Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI) is an orthodontic index based on socially defined aesthetic standards. The primary aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of malocclusion using the DAI among three ethnic groups of Asian origin; Japanese, Chinese in Taiwan and Native Americans with white Americans. A secondary goal was to consider the possibility that genetic factors might be the cause of the characteristics of malocclusion in the ethnic groups of Asian origin. Malocclusion was evaluated in 1029 Japanese and 176 Chinese in Taiwan students utilising the DAI, and the findings were compared with those of Native Americans and white Americans. The DAI values of Japanese and Native Americans were significantly higher than those of Chinese in Taiwan and white Americans. The mean DAI values showed no common tendency among the three ethnic groups. The characteristics of malocclusion in each ethnic group were also evaluated by analysis of each of the 10 DAI component scores. The results revealed common characteristics of malocclusion in the three ethnic groups of Asian origin using white Americans as the standard. The findings in the present study suggest the possibility that genetic factors might have an influence on the characteristics of malocclusion.