Abstract
A questionnaire, relating to the use and acceptance of occlusal indices and in particular the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN), was sent to all UK hospital consultancts in orthodontics. Of the respondents 74·6 per cent routinely recorded the Dental Health Component of IOTN for their patient referrals. The reasons for the increased acceptance of the IOTN amongst hospital orthodontic consultants are evaluated and some of the difficulties in usage, reported by respondents, are discussed.