Objective: To investigate the aesthetic perceptions of 100 consecutive patients and their parents of orthodontic treatment need and to compare their observations with that of orthodontists. Methods: The sample consisted of 100 consecutive orthodontic patients seen for the first
time at a Nigerian Hospital. Of the total sample, 49 were males and 51 were females, with ages ranging from 7 to 21 years (mean + SD; 12.81 + 3.08). The self-assessment by patients and the recording by parents and orthodontists were carried out using the Aesthetic (AC) and Dental Health (DHC) Components of Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN) as applicable. Results: The results showed a strong association in the perception of dental appearance by patients and the views of other dental assessors. These correlations were highly statistically significant (P