Orthodontists' assessment and management of patient compliance

This study was designed to evaluate the use of predictors and methods of improving patient compliance. A survey of 118 items was developed by searching the literature for items that other researchers have found to be significant. The new questionnaire contained six sections. Sections 1 and 2 pertained to predictors of patient compliance; sections 3 and 4 related to methods of improving compliance. In section 5, the respondents were asked to evaluate patient personality traits that might be important in evaluating compliance, and in the last section, demographic background information on the respondents was collected. Questionnaires were mailed to 1,262 practicing orthodontists in the United States, and 429 responses were received. Patient-related items, such as desire for treatment and relationship with parents, were ranked as important factors motivating patients to comply. Verbal praise and communication were rated as important methods for improving compliance. Personality traits that orthodontists found to be predictive of patient compliance were: high self-esteem; obedient; accommodating; and self-confident. Patients' perceptions of their malocclusions, combined with their desire for orthodontic treatment, may be good indicators of compliance. Doctor-patient rapport and verbal praise may be useful ways to improve compliance.