Barmer Research Explores [subject] - Orthodontic Treatment Varies Across Regions
In Germany, the frequency of orthodontic treatment for kids differs greatly based on the state, according to a study by the Barmer Health Insurance Fund. Analyzing data pertaining to around 53,000 eight-year-olds born in 2005 over a decade - from 2013 to 2022, they found that almost 60% of kids in Bavaria received orthodontic therapy, whereas it was merely about 46% in Bremen. The nationwide average stood at approximately 55%.
Interestingly, the presumed requirement for this kind of treatment among eight- to nine-year-olds, as stated in the "German Oral Health Study" from 2022, is roughly 40%. Michael Walter, the study author from the Technical University of Dresden, opined that it's within a "reasonable range" for Barmer-insured individuals, considering that the study assumed an underestimation of the requirement. This often happens because only eight- and nine-year-olds were examined.
Remarkably, some areas had higher than expected rates of orthodontic care. The report mentions that dental irregularities and jaw misalignments aren't enough to explain the notable regional variance in orthodontic treatments. The authors suggest that the elevated figures in certain states could possibly signify overtreatment. When contracted, overtreatment refers to therapies that don't offer any recognized or demonstrable advantages for patients.
Predominantly, there are contrasts between boys and girls. Sixty percent of girls in the study group received treatment, while only 50% of boys did. In Bavaria, the figures were 65% for girls (boys: 53%) and 63% for girls (boys: 52%) in Baden-Württemberg. The Barmer Director, Christoph Straub, stated that beauty ideals, group pressure, and parental care are probable reasons why dental and jaw abnormalities are more likely to be requested and treated in females rather than males.
The above text has been paraphrased.
