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Predictors of Orthodontic Patient Compliance

Abstract

Introduction: Compliance of orthodontic patients is important to provide efficient and effective treatment outcomes with minimal negative oral health effects. Predicting future patient compliance would be a valuable tool in aiding the orthodontist to create appropriate treatments with realistic goals for patients who are not compliant. Although many predictors of patient compliance have been analyzed in previous studies, only a few are highly correlated with compliance, such as good academic performance. This study seeks to determine if good oral hygiene status during the initial orthodontic examination is a predictor of future patient compliance during orthodontic treatment.

Methods: During the initial orthodontic examination, 85 adolescent patients and their parents were asked to complete a questionnaire, based on the Orthodontic Attitude Survey. Patient oral hygiene was measured using the Gingival Index and Plaque Index at baseline (T0), 3 months into treatment (T1), and 6 months into treatment (T2). The treating orthodontic residents completed a modified Orthodontic Patient Cooperation Scale following 6 months of orthodontic treatment. Several statistical tests, including the Pearson correlation, Spearman's rank correlation, and logistic regression analysis were used to evaluate the association between predictor and outcome variables.

Results: Patients with good Gingival and Plaque Index scores at the initial examination showed better compliance during orthodontic treatment (p = 0.027 and 0.039, respectively). Marital status also showed significant correlation with compliance level (p = 0.044). Other factors, such as age or sex, did not show significant correlations with compliance.

Conclusions: Oral hygiene status at the initial orthodontic evaluation is associated with patient compliance during orthodontic treatment.

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