Adherence in orthodontic settings: understanding practitioner views in a UK sample

To explore predictors of adherence in adult orthodontic patients as reported by orthodontists in the UK.

Twenty-three orthodontists (47% female and 53% male) from the UK with approximately 15 years of experience each (M  =  14.7; SD  =  1.73) completed a questionnaire regarding the importance they give to a number of factors signaled in the literature as adequate predictors of adherence. This cross-sectional quantitative and exploratory survey consisted of four parts, requesting orthodontists to rate a list of predictors of adherence on (1) evaluation-how important they thought the predictor was to assess patient adherence, (2) application-the extent to which they used each predictor to assess adherence in their daily practice, (3) open-ended questions to collect any other perceived predictors of adherence, and (4) demographics.

All participating orthodontists agreed that patients' regularity in attending appointments, maintenance of good oral hygiene, and utilization of dental appliances are the most important factors for predicting adherence. In the open-ended portion of the questionnaire, orthodontists also highlighted perceived cost of treatment as an important factor. The remaining factors included in the questionnaire were also rated as important or utilized, though they yielded a more varied pattern of response.

Appointment keeping, cooperating in the use of removable appliances, and oral hygiene were rated as the most important factors by orthodontists when assessing adherence in adult patients. The perceived cost of treatment was also highlighted by orthodontists as an important factor for adherence.