Parental Knowledge of Malocclusion and Attitudes Toward Early Orthodontic Treatment: A Survey-Based Study

This study aimed to evaluate parents’ knowledge of malocclusion and their attitudes toward early orthodontic treatment, as well as to identify the factors influencing these perceptions. A cross-sectional study using a structured questionnaire was conducted among 200 parents who visited the Department of Pediatric Dentistry at Wonkwang University Dental Hospital between March and July 2025. The questionnaire collected data on the respondents’ demographic characteristics, awareness of malocclusion, and perceptions and attitudes toward early orthodontic treatment. Most parents (90.0%) recognized that their child’s dentition could affect psychosocial aspects such as self-confidence and social relationships. However, only 53.0% correctly identified both genetic and environmental factors as causes of malocclusion, and only 26.5% recognized 7 years of age as the optimal time for orthodontic evaluation. Notably, parents with personal orthodontic experience demonstrated significantly higher awareness and acceptance of early orthodontic treatment (p < 0.05). Although only 36.5% of the participants were familiar with the term “early orthodontic treatment,” the majority (82.5%) expressed a willingness to pursue treatment if indicated. These findings highlight a substantial gap in parental understanding of malocclusion and early orthodontic care, underscoring the need for targeted educational initiatives and institutional strategies to improve awareness of timely orthodontic evaluations.