Introduction: Although dental caries is easily preventable, it still represents a significant public health problem. Healthy dentition and good oral hygiene are the basis for the inclusion of patients with malocclusions into orthodontic treatment. The objective of this research was to assess the oral health of patients referred to an orthodontist. Subjects and methods: In the cross sectional study, dental records of 351 patients aged 6-23 years (55% females), referred to orthodontist by their general dentist during years 2014 and 2015 at the Dental Clinic, University Medical Center Rijeka, were analyzed. Also, prevalence of caries, severity of active caries and caries experience in relation to gender and dentition type were analyzed. Results: Prevalence of primary teeth caries of children referred to orthodontist was 68%, severity of active caries was 3.6, and caries experience 2.4. Prevalence of permanent teeth caries of children referred to orthodontist was 28%, severity of active caries was 5.5, and caries experience 1.5. Deciduous teeth were more often carious and permanent ones were more often treated with dental fillings. There were no significant gender related differences. Conclusions: Oral health of children and adolescents referred to orthodontist in Croatia is poor. General dentists frequently send patients with dentition which is not healthy to orthodontist and thus postpone their inclusion in orthodontic treatment. It is necessary to educate general dentists to establish healthy status of all oral tissues and optimal level of oral hygiene before referring them to orthodontist.