Patients’ Expectations Of Orthodontic Treatment During Their Initial Visit: A Questionnaire Study

ABSTRACT

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the patients’ expectations from orthodontic treatment in order to provide optimal treatment based on their expectations resulting in patient satisfaction. Materials and methods: A prevalidated questionnaire was used to measure the patients’ responses, which included questions about expectations of their initial visit, the type of orthodontic treatment expected, problems associated with treatment, duration and frequency of attendance, benefits and complications of treatment. Descriptive analyses were used to calculate the responses of the patients. Results: This study showed that improved dento-facial appearance and gain in confidence were the most common expectations among the patients’ in both the genders. Conclusions: Measuring patients’ expectations from orthodontic treatment before initiation of treatment by the orthodontists might lead to more satisfaction and less disappointment.