Legal Regulation of the Implementation of Myofunctional Correction of Oral Habits in the Healthcare System of Ukraine

The aim of the study. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the Froggy Mouth myofunctional rehabilitation approach for atypical swallowing in adolescents with acquired maxillomandibular anomalies, in persons who suffer from oral and posture habits due to the impact of stressors. The study will justify the necessity of incorporating annoetic treatment for atypical swallowing into the healthcare system and identify key areas of state policy to ensure the accessibility, effectiveness, and integration of these methods into medical practice. Research methods. Clinical examinations were conducted on 180 patients aged 9–17 with acquired maxillomandibular anomalies and deformities, along with 45 individuals in the comparison group. The patients underwent a confidential survey to identify stress factors affecting their bodies, and the relationship between the presence of stressors and the development of oral habits was analyzed. Treatment was provided based on the type of bite and oral habit. All patients with atypical swallowing and/or hidden oral breathing in the phase of active orthodontic treatment were fitted with removable myofunctional appliances (FroggyMouth). Statistical processing of the results was carried out using a personal computer with the Statistica 12.0 software package. Mean values and standard errors were calculated for continuous variables. Correlations between parameters were analyzed using the Spearman correlation coefficient and tested for statistical significance. The threshold for significance was set at p<0.05. Scientific novelty. Our study showed that oral habits are often the result of an underdeveloped swallowing pattern (84/180), which is crucial for the formation of occlusion, while stress factors in the patient's environment contribute to the progression of these habits. During the clinical examination, 34 patients in the 9–12 year age group, 29 patients in the 12–15 year age group, and 21 patients in the 15–17 year age group were diagnosed with swallowing disorders and/or oral breathing. We believe that most harmful habits or the inability of children to develop a permanent adaptive swallowing pattern are related to the state of the nervous system and stress factors surrounding the patient. The use of labial therapy helps the clinician actively influence the primary swallowing pattern and oral habits, such as oral breathing, in patients with patent airways. For orthodontists, the development of a normal adaptive swallowing pattern is very important as it is linked to the successful outcome of treatment and prevention of relapses. The results of our study show the effectiveness of the labial therapy technique developed by Fellus Patrick with the use of the Froggy Mouth appliance (France), as among the 84 patients, only 15 failed to develop an adaptive swallowing skill after 10 weeks, and these patients continued treatment with labial therapy for up to 6 months. Our study also identifies gaps in the legal regulation of myofunctional correction of oral habits within Ukraine’s healthcare system. Currently, there are no clearly defined regulatory and legal acts in Ukraine that govern the use of myofunctional therapy as an integral component of comprehensive treatment and prevention of orthodontic pathologies. This limits its application in clinical practice and its funding within state programs. The study substantiates the need to establish myofunctional correction at the regulatory level by amending the orders of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, developing clinical protocols, and defining the legal status of specialists authorized to provide such therapy. Integrating this methodology into standardized guidelines will help ensure its accessibility, enhance the effectiveness of treatment, and improve the prevention of orthodontic anomalies. Conclusions. Our study revealed that harmful habits are often the result of an underdeveloped swallowing pattern (84/180), which plays a crucial role in occlusion formation, and that stress factors in the patient’s life stimulate the progression of these habits. The treatment plan should be etiopathogenetic, as without eliminating the etiological factor, the patient is likely to experience relapse. In cases of swallowing disorders, myofunctional therapy should be included in the comprehensive treatment approach. The implementation of myofunctional correction of harmful oral habits within Ukraine’s healthcare system requires proper regulatory and legal support. It is essential to establish standardized guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of such disorders in unified clinical protocols and recommendations, ensuring a systematic approach to therapy at the national healthcare level. Additionally, the system of training and professional development for medical specialists involved in myofunctional correction should be improved, taking into account international experience. It is advisable to amend the existing regulatory and legal acts governing dental and preventive medicine, including those defining diagnostic and treatment methods for dental disorders. This will enhance the effectiveness of addressing harmful oral habits, contribute to reducing the prevalence of orthodontic pathologies among the population, and align with the principles of national healthcare policy.