Patient compliance and locus of control in orthodontic treatment: A prospective study

Abstract

Introduction: Increased understanding of orthodontic patients will improve communication between dentist and patient; this is important for an optimal treatment outcome. In this prospective study, we addressed the relationship between patient compliance and locus of control (LOC) characteristics and evaluated posttreatment changes in LOC profiles. Methods: Two types of LOC questionnaires, the Rotter internal control scale (RICS) and the Nowicki-Strickland external control scale (NSECS), were given to 561 patients before conventional orthodontic treatment. After orthodontic treatment, the same questionnaires were readministered, and patient compliance was evaluated by an orthodontist and 3 dental hygienists. LOC scores were calculated at the end of the examination period. The difference in LOC between the good and poor compliance groups, and the posttreatment changes in LOC were evaluated. Results: There was no significant difference in RICS and NSECS profiles between the good and poor compliance groups. NSECS decreased significantly after orthodontic treatment, but there were no significant changes in RICS. Conclusions: Patient compliance appears to be a complex factor that cannot be predicted by LOC evaluation before orthodontic treatment. Patients who underwent orthodontic treatment showed decreased external control dispositions. (Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 2008;133:354-8)

Objective assessment of compliance with intra- and extraoral removable appliances

“…Although there does appear to be a discernible relationship between compliance and Nowicki-Strickland Locus of Control scores, neither we nor other authors 27 have been able to show a statistically significant correlation, even if none of them had used an objective device for measuring the compliance. In fact, it would be too reductive to predict compliance on the basis of patient maturity alone because it is dependent also on other external and environmental factors.…”

“…25,26 This scale features 40 questions designed to measure a child's or a teenager's beliefs in his or her ability to control his or her own life (locus of control) and has already been used in other studies to estimate the propensity for compliance. 27 Low scores (1-7) correspond to a high degree of perceived control, whereas high scores (15-40) correspond to a low degree of perceived control.…”

Applicative Characteristics of New Microelectronic Sensors Smart Retainer® and TheraMon® for Mea suring Wear Time

“…A minimum degree of wearing compliance from patients is required for a successful outcome and the achievement of orthodontic treatment objectives with removable appliances [2,6,9]. Objective means of determining and documenting the duration of removable appliance wear, (and thus patient compliance) have long been sought.…”

“…Ein kontinuierlicher kieferorthopädischer Behandlungserfolg und das Erreichen des geplanten Therapiezieles mit herausnehmbaren Geräten benötigen ein Mindestmaß an Trageleistung, die vom Patienten zu erbringen ist [2,6,9]. Die objektive Ermittlung der Anwendungsdauer herausnehmbarer Geräte, die ein seit langem wünschenswertes Ziel ist, würde einerseits die Compliance der Patienten dokumentieren.…”

Wearing times of orthodontic devices as measured by the TheraMon® microsensor

“…Since a broad range of recommendations on how to improve compliance has already been published, most in considerable detail, we cite only a few recently published studies as examples [2,9,10,19]. In everyday clinical practice, treatment providers can only estimate the validity of the times that the patient claims to have worn the removable device according to their intuition and experience with the treatment.…”