Patients' and Parents' Perceptions of a "Good" Orthodontic Treatment

Objective This study aims to investigate (1) the factors that pediatric orthodontic patients consider important in defining a good orthodontist and treatment process, and (2) the core elements of a good orthodontic treatment as identified by young patients and their parents. Methodology Children and adolescent orthodontic patients were prospectively interviewed, along with a parent and their treating orthodontist, at Aarhus University's postgraduate clinic, Denmark, using a reconstructive grounded theory approach. The study consisted of (1) four open-ended questions for patients, grouped into thematic domains, and (2) a closed-ended questionnaire, based on the World Health Organization's pediatric healthcare quality framework, answered by patients and parents. Seven treatment-related items were rated on a Likert scale (1 = Not important at all to 5 = Very important). Results Thirty-six patients (mean age 13.7 years, standard deviation (SD) 1.9 years) and their parents participated. Most of the open-ended qualitative responses of a good orthodontic treatment referred to the following subdomains: Communication (52, 30%), Information at the right time (43, 25%), Pain during treatment (21, 12%), Competence (19, 11%), and Respect and mutual trust (18, 10%). In the closed-ended questionnaire, parents rate it with higher importance than the patients that the orthodontist is an expert (P = 0.01). Conclusions Young orthodontic patients consider the entire treatment process when evaluating a good treatment and a good orthodontist. The two main factors they value most are having a friendly orthodontist and being provided with valuable information on their orthodontic treatment at the right time. The findings of the current project can be used to improve the overall quality of care and increase patient satisfaction.