<![CDATA[ABSTRACTBackground: The World Health Organization shown that malocclusion is the third most prevalent disorder in the oral cavity, behind dental caries and periodontitis which occupy the top two ranks. The prevalence of malocclusion in the North and Central areas of Banjarmasin was reported to be 83.7%. One of the factors contributing to the high prevalence of malocclusion was the habit of mouth breathing, which could affect craniofacial growth and development and increase the risk of malocclusion, especially during the mixed dentition period. Objective: to analyze the relationship between mouth breathing habits and orthodontic treatment needs during the mixed dentition period among students of SD Negeri Sungai Andai 4 Banjarmasin. Method: This research employed a cross-sectional technique within an analytic observational framework. The sample consisted of 56 respondents selected using simple random sampling. Data were collected through clinical examinations, the valid and reliable MBD-MBS questionnaire (α = 0.871), and orthodontic treatment need assessment using the IOTN-DHC index. Result The results showed that the most common breathing category was Complete Mouth Breather (CMB) (53.6%), predominantly among females (60.0%). Orthodontic treatment needs were most commonly found in the moderate treatment need category (28.6%). Statistical analysis revealed a positive association of very high strength (r = 0.833) that was statistically meaningful (p < 0.001) between mouth breathing habits and orthodontic treatment needs. Conclusion: Mouth breathing habits contributed to increased orthodontic treatment needs in children during the mixed dentition period. Therefore, early detection was needed to maintain oral health and the general condition of children.Keywords: IOTN-DHC, Malocclusion, Mixed dentition, Mouth breathing, Orthodontic treatment need ABSTRAKLatar Belakang: World Health Organization menunjukkan bahwa dari seluruh gangguan yang sering terjadi di rongga mulut, maloklusi menempati posisi ketiga terbanyak, sementara dua posisi di atasnya ditempati oleh karies gigi dan periodontitis. Prevalensi maloklusi di Kota Banjarmasin wilayah Utara dan Tengah tercatat sebesar 83,7%. Tingginya kejadian maloklusi salah satunya disebabkan kebiasaan mouth breathing yang dapat memengaruhi pertumbuhan dan perkembangan kraniofasial sehingga meningkatkan risiko terjadinya maloklusi, terutama pada periode gigi campuran. Tujuan: Menganalisis hubungan kebiasaan buruk bernapas melalui mulut dan kebutuhan perawatan ortodonti pada periode gigi bercampur pada siswa SDN Sungai Andai 4 Banjarmasin. Metode: Penelitian ini menggunakan rancangan observasional analitik dengan metode potong lintang (cross-sectional). Sampel berjumlah 56 responden, yang diambil melalui teknik simple random sampling. Pengumpulan data dilakukan melalui pemeriksaan klinis, kuesioner MBD-MBS yang valid dan reliabel (α = 0,871), serta penilaian kebutuhan perawatan ortodonti menggunakan IOTN-DHC. Hasil: Hasil menunjukkan bahwa kategori bernapas yang paling banyak ditemukan adalah Complete Mouth Breather (CMB) (53,6%), pada perempuan (60,0%). Hasil kebutuhan perawatan ortodonti paling banyak ditemukan pada kategori cukup membutuhkan perawatan ortodonti (28,6%). Terdapat asosiasi positif berkekuatan sangat tinggi yang bermakna antara kebiasaan bernapas melalui mulut dan kebutuhan perawatan ortodonti (r = 0,833; p < 0,001). Kesimpulan: Pada masa gigi campuran, anak dengan kebiasaan mouth breathing menunjukkan peningkatan kebutuhan akan perawatan ortodonti secara bermakna. Sehingga diperlukan deteksi dini untuk menjaga kesehatan mulut dan kondisi umum anak. Kata kunci: bernapas melalui mulut, gigi campuran, IOTN-DHC, kebutuhan perawatan ortodonti, maloklusi]]>
