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The long‐term influence of orthodontic treatment on adults’ psychosocial outcomes: An Australian cohort study
Author(s) -
Doğramacı Esma J.,
Brennan David S.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
orthodontics and craniofacial research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.664
H-Index - 55
eISSN - 1601-6343
pISSN - 1601-6335
DOI - 10.1111/ocr.12327
Subject(s) - psychosocial , medicine , optimism , malocclusion , population , longitudinal study , cohort study , cohort , clinical psychology , dentistry , psychology , psychiatry , environmental health , pathology , social psychology
Objectives To assess the influence of orthodontic treatment on psychosocial outcomes in 30‐year‐olds. The research hypothesis tested was that participants previously treated orthodontically would have better psychosocial outcomes. Setting and Sample Population A prospective longitudinal cohort design was used to follow‐up a sample of 1859 30‐year‐olds from Adelaide, South Australia, who had previously participated in an oral epidemiology study. Materials and methods Clinical examination in 1988‐1989 recorded participants’ malocclusion severity. In 2005‐2006, participants were invited to complete a questionnaire collecting data on socio‐demographic characteristics, dental health behaviours, receipt of orthodontic treatment and psychosocial factors. Data were analysed descriptively and by linear regression models. Results Data for 448 participants were available; 56% of participants were female. Over a third of participants had received orthodontic treatment. Higher income earners had the best psychosocial outcomes while participants with a basic level of secondary education had the lowest. Regardless of initial malocclusion severity, orthodontic treatment was not associated with better psychosocial outcomes. Instead, a pattern of better psychosocial outcome was observed amongst untreated participants, regardless of malocclusion severity, this being significant for optimism. Adjusted models controlling for socio‐demographic, dental health behaviour and malocclusion severity showed no association between orthodontic treatment and self‐efficacy, health competence or social support. There was, however, a strong association with optimism. Conclusion There was no difference in long‐term psychosocial outcomes based on orthodontic treatment. Our study does not support the contention that orthodontic treatment produces better psychosocial functioning later in life.