Socio-economic Characteristics of Orthodontic Patients in Lagos, Nigeria: A Cross-sectional Study

Orthodontic treatment for malocclusion is one of the costly dental treatments globally, leading to the general belief that it is mostly accessible to individuals in the high socioeconomic category (SEC) in Nigeria. This study aims to assess the socio-economic characteristics of Nigerian orthodontic patients.

This was a descriptive cross-sectional study, conducted in Lagos State, Nigeria, from March to August2025. The study sites were Lagos University Teaching Hospital and Hilton Dental Services, a major private orthodontic clinic in Lagos. Data was collected using a 15-item structured interviewer questionnaire, analyzed with SPSS version 26 statistical software using descriptive (frequency and percentage) and inferential (Fisher's exact test) statistics. The level of significance was set at p > 0.05.

A total of 309 respondents participated; 220 females and 89 males, with a mean age of 24.8 ± 10 years. Most, 217 (70.2%), were at the tertiary education level. The majority (197, 63.8%) fell into the high SE category, and rented apartments were the most common type of housing. Respondents from the high SEC agreed that SE status serves as a barrier to accessing orthodontic treatment. However, it was not a factor in choosing the treatment facility. Out-of-pocket payment was the most common method used for paying for orthodontic treatment.

Socioeconomic status has a significant impact on access to orthodontic treatment, and most orthodontic patients belong to the higher socioeconomic category. Recommendation is the main reason for choosing a treatment facility.