Self-perceived Needs for Orthodontic Retreatment among Dental Students: A Qualitative Study

The aims of this research were to explore perceptions of Mahidol dental students toward orthodontic retreatment and to examine whether there were any influential factors in a dental school toward their decision to receive the retreatment.

Mahidol dental undergraduates who were requesting orthodontic retreatment were recruited into this research. A semi-structure interview with a topic guide was conducted to collect in-depth information. All responses were recorded using a digital voice recorder and transcribed using a verbatim transcription technique. The data were then analyzed using a framework analysis.

The common reasons for requesting orthodontic retreatment among dental students were self-perceived esthetic and functional concerns. Knowledge and experiences of dental students could raise awareness of dental problems, so they were likely to detect even a small defect of their teeth. The students also worried if their dental problems were presented to patients or other dental students. In addition, although they were requesting for orthodontic retreatment, they felt quite worried with the complications they had learned from the dental program. The students also reported that these concerns could affect their psychological well-being.

Dental knowledge and experiences as well as surrounding people such as their peers and patients in a dental school seemed to have impact on awareness of dental problems and a decision to receive orthodontic retreatment.