Index of Orthodontic Treatment Needed (IOTN) is a scale designed to measure the orthodontic need of a patient. It has two components:
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The Dental Health Component (DHC)
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The Aesthetic Component (AC)
The Dental Health Component (DHC) scale (1 to 5):
1 = no need
2 = little need
3 = borderline need
4 = need
5 = very great need
The Aesthetic Component (AC) scale (1 to 10):
1 to 4 = little or no need
5 to 7 = borderline need
8 to 10 = great need
NHS funded orthodontic treatment is normally restricted to individuals with a DHC of 5, 4 or 3 with an AC of 6 or more.
If the DHC value is 3, the AC must also be recorded in box 5 of Part 5 on the FP17O / FP17OW.
In transfer cases it's the original IOTN that determines a patient?s eligibility for NHS funded orthodontic treatment and therefore box 6 (IOTN not applicable) should be crossed in Part 5 on the FP17O / FP17OW.
Guidance for completing the FP17O is available on the NHS Dental Services website.