Magister Scientiae Dentium - MSc(Dent) / The aim of this study is to determine the perceptions of different occlusal appearance observed by schoolchildren aged 13 -16yrs in the Capricorn District of Limpopo Province in South Africa. The study determined schoolchildren’s perceptions of different occlusal appearances, by assessing the self-perception of schoolchildren toward their occlusal appearance using the Aesthetic Component (AC) of the Index of Orthodontic Need (IOTN). These were compared with the perceptions held by schoolchildren across age, gender and place of residence in Limpopo Province.