SATISFACTION AND EXPECTATIONS OF ORTHODONTIC PATIENTS WITH THEIR ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT

Abstract

A satisfied patient at the end of orthodontic treatment is a very important criterion of success for an orthodontist. That is why it is extremely vital to explore the factors which determine the fulfillment of these expectations at a personal level so that both patient and doctor have realistic achievable goals from the treatment. These factors though difficult to quantify and varying in different parts of the world, provide a fair insight how to extrapolate satisfied patients.

This study was conducted in Qassim province of Saudi Arabia. A self-administered e-questionnaire was sent to 226 adult patients between the age of 15-50, who had finished orthodontic treatment. 83.6% of the patients were satisfied with their treatment while only 16.4% were unsatisfied. The general factors significantly related to satisfaction were enough time spent by the orthodontist in explaining the treatment, personal relationship and the clinical expertise of the orthodontist. Other statistically insignificant factors were professional degree, setting of dental office and orthodontist’s openness to criticism and suggestions. The factors related during the treatment i.e. cost and discomfort didn’t have any significant relation with the satisfaction of the treatment. The significant percentage of patients thought their treatment was a success for them and their expectations were met. A very small number of patients reported that they developed few dental problems which included dental caries followed by collapse of arch, gingival inflammation, change in the color of teeth, pain and caries combined with gingival inflammation.