A survey of adults' attitudes toward orthodontic therapy

Abstract

This study was designed to discover the nature of concerns that adult patients have toward their orthodontic therapy. I had observed, after many years of treating this age group, that concerns brought to my office by prospective and active patients were similar. All patients, however, felt that their attitudes and feelings were unique. Initially, the investigation was carried out in the presence of a psychologist during evening meetings. This was then followed by giving questionnaires to thirty-five patients. The first questionnaire was distributed to patients who had decided to undergo therapy but had not yet started. The second was given to that same group of patients upon completion, or imminent completion, of their treatment. Thirty-three patients returned both questionnaires. The principal conclusion was that negative concerns and fears that the patients had about their course of treatment were soon dissipated. Perseverance toward the treatment goal was an overriding characteristic of every patient, and satisfaction with the end result was uniformly favorable. These patients would encourage all others to undergo treatment if it was required.