Predictors of willingness to uptake orthodontic treatment and qualitative insights into the reasons for its postponement in young adults

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the predictors of willingness to uptake orthodontic treatment and to explore the reasons for postponing its initiation in young adults. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Students, aged 18-30 years old, were randomly approached at the Central Library of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Campus and invited to complete the study tool anonymously and voluntarily. The Psychosocial Impact of Dental Aesthetics Questionnaire (PIDAQ) and the esthetic component of the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN-AC) were used to evaluate students' psychosocial impact of dental esthetics and severity of malocclusion, whereas the rationale for postponing the initiation of orthodontic treatment was recorded through an open-ended question, analyzed using thematic content analysis. RESULTS: In total, 270 students, 55.2% female, participated. The single statistically significant factor predicting willingness to uptake orthodontic treatment was the PIDAQ-Psychological Impact subscale (OR: 1.24; 95% CI: 1.11-1.37, P < .001). Gender and age were not associated with willingness to pursue treatment. Seven main themes emerged regarding reasons for postponement: fear of the procedure, embarrassment regarding appearance during treatment, low prioritization of esthetics, insufficient information, high cost of treatment, prolonged duration of treatment, and residential mobility. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that psychological impact of dental esthetics constitutes the main driver to pursue orthodontic treatment. A patient-centered orthodontic approach should address the possible barriers to its initiation. Increasing young adults' oral health literacy could be key in empowering them to make better informed decisions regarding their oral health-related quality of life.