Comparison of Knowledge and Attitude Towards Orthodontic Treatment Among High School Students

Abstract

Introduction: Adolescence is the time when a person attains awareness including the self-awareness about his/her health. Hence if proper knowledge is instilled during this time, it will be effective and good oral health behavior can last lifetime. The aim of this study was to assess knowledge and attitude towards orthodontic treatment among the students of public and private schools and compare between them.
 Materials & Method: A descriptive cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was performed among 700 students (350 from private and 350 from government schools around Kathmandu valley) of grade 8-10. Questionnaire consisted of 14 questions about knowledge and 10 questions about attitude relating to orthodontic treatment. Each response as “yes” was given score ‘1’ and responses “no” and “don’t know” were given score ‘0’. Total score was calculated, followed by mean and compared between that of private and government schools and between genders.
 Result: No significant difference was found in the knowledge between the students of private and government schools. The difference in attitude score was found to be statistically significant (p=0.00). 54.29% of participants had never heard of an orthodontists, 48.57% never thought that crooked teeth have ill effects, and around 50% of participants were not aware that orthodontic treatment would improve the facial appearance. 47% of participants would not undergo treatment if it took 1-2 years, 53% would not agree for extractions and 42% were not willing to wear retainers.
 Conclusion: The knowledge and attitude level on orthodontics can be improved by incorporating the basic aspects of oral health in the syllabus of school education.

Attitude and Knowledge of Orthodontics among Egyptian Patients: A Cross-Sectional Survey

“…Patients' perceptions of orthodontics which include malocclusion and orthodontic treatment have a significant importance in determining treatment demand and collaboration with the orthodontist (29)(30)(31) . The main cause for the lack of orthodontic treatment for patients with malocclusion is the lack of information about the malocclusion and lack of awareness about the benefits of treatment (32)(33)(34) . The more aware the patients are of their dental problems and orthodontic treatments, the more will be their demand for a better quality of life and better co-operation during treatment (35)(36)(37)(38) .…”

Study of the knowledge and attitude about principles and practices of orthodontic treatment among general dental practitioners and non orthodontic specialist

“…(7) The outcomes of the orthodontic treatment are prevention of tissue damage, improvement in physical function and esthetics. The other major benefits are improving quality of life, development of self-confidence; and physical, psychological and social changes (7,8). Facial appearance is one among the foremost important physical characteristics within the development of one's self-confidence; therefore, it seems that folks who are satisfied with their own appearance, have more selfconfidence in comparison with others.…”

“…(8) Therefore, there is a need to identify the knowledge levels of dental practitioners with respect to orthodontic treatment as they play an important role in inculcating healthy lifestyle practices to their patients. (8,9). Our team has extensive knowledge and research experience that has translated into high quality publications(10-18),( 19),( 20), (21,22),( 23),( 24), (25)(26)(27)(28)(29)This study was formulated for the comparative evaluation of the knowledge and attitude of the general dental practitioners and non-orthodontic specialties about the orthodontic treatment.…”