Subjective Factors in Orthodontic Treatment, Q-Methodology as a Tool to the Assessment of Motivation, Compliance and Satisfaction in Orthodontic Treatment: Quaestiones Morales et Ethical Communications (ex lat)

Introduction: One of the essential factors for evaluating the successful orthodontic treatment is a patient’s satisfaction. The orthodontist can apply very high clinical performance of the tasks set at the beginning, but they do not always coincide with the patient's requests due to the lack of objective assessment. The Q-methodology offers an innovative and qualitative approach that combines the compatibility of many subjective factors and meets the patient's requirements. The research is sociological, specific problems can be explored in depth and fulfil the patient’s expectations. It works with a small number of respondents, and most importantly, it emphasizes the patient-centered approach. The aim of the present study using Q-methodology was to evaluate the subjective factors in orthodontic treatment and to achieve the best outcomes. Materials and Methods: Data analysis and statistical processing included Factor Analysis, PQ Method 2.35 with PQROT 2.0. 280 children aged 13 to 18 and 325 parents aged 35 to 55 were studied. The average age for the children was 16.67±2.17, and for the parents 42.18 ± 3.17. An interview (the pilot study) was conducted with 40 respondents, on the basis of which 30 evaluation opinions were formed using the Q-methodology. The studied factors that support children's motivation during orthodontic treatment are compliance and satisfaction as a result. Results and Discussions: Three factors are summarized for children - the most important is "aesthetics"; four are the factors for parents "prevention of future oral problems" was rated highest by them. Conclusions: The Q-methodology shares the views of the quantum theory as well, that communicability exists in different probabilistic states. This determines the possibility of subjective factors "to be counted", i.e. to give an objective assessment as a result of subjective factors.