Objective: To determine the treatment outcome based on dentoalveolar relationships among Malay children born with nonsyndromic complete unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP).
Design: Retrospective cohort study.
Setting and sample population: The Department of Orthodontics at the School of Dental Science and the Reconstructive Sciences Unit, School of Medical Science, Universiti Sains Malaysia. Dental study models of 82 UCLP Malay children aged 8 to 10 years were evaluated. All subjects had their cleft lip and palate repaired, but no alveolar bone graft or any orthodontic treatment was performed.
Outcome measure: The outcome of dental arch relationships was assessed using the Goslon Yardstick Index: a dental measure with outcomes ranked on a scale ranging from 1 to 5. Agreement of rating was assessed with weighted kappa statistics; both intraexaminer and interexaminer agreements were high, indicating good reproducibility.
Results: A total of 2.4% of the sample was in grade 1, 24.4% in grade 2, 35.4% in grade 3, 31.7% in grade 4, and 6.1% in grade 5. The mean Goslon index score was 3.15.
Conclusion: Dentoalveolar relationship outcomes of UCLP Malay children are intermediate according to the Goslon Yardstick. Interpretation of results should consider the ethnic differences in the craniofacial complex.