I want braces: factors motivating patients and their parents to seek orthodontic treatment.
OBJECTIVE
To determine patients' and parents'/guardians' motivation for orthodontic treatment.


METHODS
A self-completion postal questionnaire survey of new patients referred for orthodontic assessment.


METHODS
Kent and Canterbury Hospital (January 2003-January 2004).


METHODS
Five hundred patients referred from general dental practice and community dental service within East Kent.


RESULTS
Response rate was 66%. Fifty percent of the patients were between 11 and 13-years-old. In 81% of cases referral was initiated by the dentist. Most of the patients (87%) were concerned with the appearance of their teeth, 38% reported teasing related to their dental appearance. Only 20% of patients thought there was nothing wrong with their teeth.


CONCLUSIONS
The patients' general dental practitioner initiated referral for orthodontic treatment in the majority of the cases. Most patients and parents appeared to be highly motivated and accepting of appliances for orthodontic treatment. Teasing was a commonly reported consequence of malocclusion with negative psychosocial impact.
Maxillofacial Unit, Kent and Canterbury Hospital, Ethelbert Road, Canterbury, CT1 3NG.
P S
PS
Fleming
K
K
Proczek
A T
AT
DiBiase
D000293:Adolescent; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D003149:Community Dentistry; D003796:Dental Service, Hospital; D004739:England; D004955:Esthetics, Dental; D005792:General Practice, Dental; D006801:Humans; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000523:psychology; D009042:Motivation; D009967:Orthodontic Appliances; D009971:Orthodontics, Corrective / Q000523:psychology*; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012919:Social Behavior