Introduction:

Application and analysis of the Bolton index is necessary to establish a correct treatment plan in patients with dental malocclusions. Training specialists must acquire and apply this knowledge for the proper development of their professional practice.

Objective:

To assess the learning needs of Orthodontics residents regarding the use and interpretation of the Bolton index and its potentially determining factors.

Methods:

Descriptive and cross-sectional study with a qualitative-quantitative approach, using anonymous surveys and non-structured interviews with residents and professors of the Department of Orthodontics at the Dental School in Havana, during the academic year 2017-2018.

Results:

The surveyed residents showed insufficient knowledge about the Bolton index. Its application was not systematic in education at work. The greatest deficiencies were observed in the second and third academic years. The potentially determining factors revealed were lack of uniformity and professors’ being demanding for student evaluation.

Conclusions:

Orthodontics residents should increase their level of knowledge about analysis of the Bolton index and increase its practical application through a more demanding and methodical evaluation system.

        · resumen en Español     · texto en Español     · Español ( pdf )