Parental motivation for orthodontic consultation during their child’s mixed dentition phase: a questionnaire study

Abstract

Introduction: Seeking orthodontic treatment during a child’s mixed dentition phase is not a popular belief in our part of the country as parents are not aware of the importance of this phase of their child’s dentition and its effects in the long run. The aim of this study was to find out parental motivation regarding Orthodontic consultation for various problems in children’s mixed dentition phase.

Material and Methods: A questionnaire was distributed among 450 school children, females, aged 6-11 years, to be returned next day after being filled by the parents.

Results: The response rate was 64.4% out of which 100% of the parents considered dentition being an important part of personage. Even being mindful of the significance of dentition on the child’s personality, only 51.1% of the parents had dental consultations regarding symmetry/alignment of the child’s teeth in the past.

Conclusions: Practice for Orthodontic consultations should be promoted and both children and parents must be made aware of the importance of orthodontic visits starting from a young age.