Bullying in schoolchildren and its relationship to malocclusion accounting for demographic and psychosocial factors: a cross-sectional study of 10- to 14-year-olds in the United Kingdom

Objectives

To investigate the prevalence of bullying in schoolchildren and its relationship with malocclusion, accounting for demographic and psychosocial factors.

Materials and Methods

This was a cross-sectional study on 10–14-year-old schoolchildren in the United Kingdom. Clinical examination was undertaken measuring Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN), overjet, overbite, and crowding or spacing. Questionnaires were used to measure bullying, oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL), self-esteem (SE), loneliness, and behavioral and emotional difficulties.

Results

Of 698 participants, 68 reported being bullied (9.7%). No difference was found in prevalence for gender, ethnicity, or age. Increased prevalence was found in participants with overjet > 6 mm (P = .02) and great need for treatment (IOTN Dental Health Component 5 P < .001, Aesthetic Component 9–10 P = .008). Bullied participants reported lower OHRQoL (P < .001) and SE (P < .001) and higher levels of loneliness (P < .001), emotional symptoms (P < .001), conduct problems (P = .002), and peer problems (P < .001). Multivariate analysis showed that being bullied was related to higher levels of loneliness (P = .007), poor peer relations (P < .001), and increased overjet (P = .032).

Conclusions

Accounting for psychosocial factors, risk of being a victim of bullying was related to malocclusion, specifically an increased overjet.