Investigation of Parents’ Awareness of Early Orthodontic Evaluation and Treatment in Paediatric Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study

Authors

  • H Uzunçıbuk Trakya University, Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Orthodontics, 22030, Edirne
  • G Gökulu Mersin City Training and Research Hospital, Pediatric Emergency Division, 33240, Mersin
  • MM Marrapodi Department of Woman, Child and General and Specialist Surgery, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli,", 80138, Naples
  • M Di Blasio Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, Milan
  • M Cicciù Department of Biomedical and Surgical and Biomedical Sciences, Catania University, 95123 Catania
  • G Minervini Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Saveetha University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India - Multidisciplinary Department of Medical-Surgical and Odontostomatological Specialties, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 80121 Naples

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.23804/ejpd.2024.2150

Keywords:

orthodontics, paediatrics, early diagnosis, awareness, questionnaire

Abstract

AIM: This study aims to gauge the level of awareness among parents about the importance, timing, and benefits of early orthodontic assessments for their children. MATERIALS: A questionnaire consisting of 12 questions was created through Google Forms to measure the knowledge about early orthodontic treatment and consultation with the parents of 1821 patients aged 6–11 years admitted to the paediatric service of a training and research hospital and filled out by the parents. The distribution of variables was examined with the Shapiro-Wilk normality test; the independent t test was used in the comparison of paired groups of normally distributed variables; and the chi-square test was used in the comparison of qualitative data. A stepwise logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the effective factors for consultation with the orthodontist. CONCLUSION: The present study found a positive relationship between parents' education and monthly financial income and their knowledge of malocclusions for early orthodontic treatment. Conversely, there was a negative correlation between the number of children parents had and their awareness of malocclusions. The early identification of malocclusions allows orthodontic problems to be corrected with less complex treatment methods.