What question did this study set out to answer?

The study aims to evaluate treatment preferences and perceived barriers to orthodontic care among various age groups and parents.

May 25, 2026Open Access

Factors influencing the desire for orthodontic treatment among patients and parents – A cross-sectional study

MGMunnal GulzarAga Khan University Hospital Nairobi LALaiba Amin AYAsma Muhammad YousufBaqai Medical University

Key Points

The study aims to evaluate treatment preferences and perceived barriers to orthodontic care among various age groups and parents.
Conducted at Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from April to September 2024.
Utilized a validated questionnaire to survey motivations and barriers related to orthodontic treatment.
Data analyzed using SPSS 23 and involved binomial logistic regression for association assessment.
Aesthetic appearance was the primary motivation for treatment, reported by 76.5% of children and 79.4% of adults.
Anticipated duration of treatment was the most cited barrier, mentioned by 41.2% of adults.
Odds of severe treatment need were 1.5 times higher in adults compared to children.

Abstract

Objective: To assess treatment preferences and perceived barriers related to orthodontic care among children,adolescents, adults and parents.Method: The cross-sectional study was conducted at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from April toSeptember 2024, and comprised participants who were allocated to children, adolescents, adults and parentsgroups. A validated questionnaire was used to survey the motivation for and barriers to initiating orthodontictreatment. The participants rated their pre-treatment pictures and severity of perceived need on a visual analoguescale. Index of orthodontic treatment need comprising dental health and aesthetic components, was used toclinically assess the patient’s orthodontic treatment need. The association of different factors with the severity oftreatment need was assessed. Data was analysed using SPSS 23.Results: Of the 136 subjects, 83(61%) were females and 53(39%) were males. There were 34(25%) subjects in eachof the four groups with varying age groups. Aesthetic appearance emerged as the primary motivation for initiatingorthodontic treatment among 26(76.5%) children, 20(58.8%) adolescents, 27(79.4%) adults and 22(64.7%) parents.The most cited expectation from treatment was improvement of overall facial aesthetics, reported by 20(58.8%)children, 19(55.9%) adolescents, 25(73.5%) adults and 19(55.9%) parents. The most reported barrier to initiatingtreatment was the anticipated duration of treatment, cited by 14(41.2%) adults and 9(26.5%) adolescents, while fearof anticipated pain was reported by 12 (35.3%) children. All the groups rated the pre-treatment appearance at amedian score of 50, and the treatment needed as severe (80-85%). Binomial logistic regression analysis revealed nosignificant association. However, the odds of having severe treatment need were 1.5 times higher in adultscompared to children, 4.9 times higher for functional needs than aesthetic, and 8.3 times higher for forwardpositionedteeth than to enhance facial appearance.Conclusions: The aesthetic component was found to be the primary motivation for seeking orthodontic treatmentacross all the study groups, reflecting a strong treatment desire, while key barriers included treatment duration, fearof anticipated pain.Key Words: Treatment need, Orthodontics, Malocclusion, Treatment expectations.

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