Mental distress in orthodontic patients during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic

Abstract

Introduction The ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak impacts the mental health of patients, health workers, and the public. The level of impact on the mental health of orthodontic patients in treatment is unknown. The objective of the study was to evaluate the mental health of orthodontic patients in China during the early stage of the pandemic. Methods An online survey was conducted on a convenience sample of anonymous participants. The questionnaire, in Chinese (Mandarin), comprised 5 sections. Sections 1-3 included demographic, epidemical, and orthodontic status of the patients. Section 4 assessed mental health-related to orthodontics. Section 5 was the Kessler-10 Mental Distress Scale. A total of 48 orthodontists were invited to distribute the questionnaires to their patients. Descriptive statistics, principal component analysis, K-means cluster analysis, and bivariate logistics regression analysis were performed with significance set at P <0.05. Results Questionnaires were collected from 558 patients (104 males, 354 females; mean age 24.78 ± 6.33 years). The prevalence of mental distress was 38% (174/458). Higher odds ratios were associated with female participants, missed appointments, and Hubei residence. The type of orthodontic appliance was associated with the anxiety of prolonged treatment duration. The manner of communication with patients regarding the postponement of appointments was associated with patients' concerns of prolonged treatment duration. The frequency of contact from dentists was associated with patients' independence. Conclusions Over one-third of orthodontic patients experienced mental distress during the pandemic. Multiple factors affected the level of anxiety of orthodontic patients, such as the type of orthodontic appliance, time since last dental visit, manner of communication with the orthodontist, and the localities of the pandemic progression.

Anxiety and perceptions on the impact of COVID-19 pandemic among orthodontic patients visiting a tertiary care center: A Cross-sectional study

“…This re lects the level of awareness and anxiety they have towards this pandemic and it is the orthodontist responsibility to make them reassured that proper infection control, use of personal protection equipment will be used to prevent the spread of the disease. (Xiong et al, 2020) found that over one-third of orthodontic patients experienced psychological distress during COVID-19 pandemic and some of the main factors affecting the level of anxiety was the type of orthodontic appliance, time since last review appointment, contact with their specialist during dental emergency.…”

Panorama of Orthodontics after COVID-19: A critical literature review

“…Additionally, there was the recommendation to use virtual assistance (Eliades & Koletsi, 2020;Maspero et al, 2020;Saccomanno et al, 2020) and assessments regarding the impact of the pandemic on orthodontic consultations and on the anxiety generated in patients and professionals (Martina et al, 2020;Peloso et al, 2020;Cotrin et al, 2020;Xiong et al, 2020).…”

“…Assessments regarding the impact of the pandemic on the orthodontic consultations and on the anxiety generated in patients and professionals were carried out through questionnaires. It was observed that the level of anxiety was more related to women than to men and that the greatest concern was associated with delayed treatment (Martina et al, 2020;Peloso et al, 2020;Cotrin et al, 2020;Xiong et al, 2020). Fixed lingual appliances and invisible aligners were less associated with high levels of anxiety about the duration of treatment compared to conventional fixed appliances (Xiong et al, 2020).…”

“…It was observed that the level of anxiety was more related to women than to men and that the greatest concern was associated with delayed treatment (Martina et al, 2020;Peloso et al, 2020;Cotrin et al, 2020;Xiong et al, 2020). Fixed lingual appliances and invisible aligners were less associated with high levels of anxiety about the duration of treatment compared to conventional fixed appliances (Xiong et al, 2020). Professionals, on the other hand, reported fear of returning to their daily activities because they considered it a high risk for them and their families (Martina et al, 2020).…”

“…With the postponement of orthodontic consultations, the concern with the prolongation of the treatment arose among patients (Peloso et al, 2020), as well as anxiety about scheduling the next visit to the orthodontist (Cotrin et al, 2020), as social isolation became a regulation adopted by several countries (Xiong et al, 2020).…”