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Introduction This study aimed to assess the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the orthodontic patient. It also assessed the knowledge and attitude of patients to the COVID-19 infection and the willingness to carry out specific precautionary measures in the orthodontic clinics to mitigate the spread of the virus. Methods It was a cross-sectional descriptive study. Questionnaires were distributed to orthodontic patients via Google forms. The questionnaire assessed participants’ knowledge, attitude, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on orthodontic treatment, and willingness to carry out infection control precautionary measures in the orthodontic clinic. Results A total of 304 responses were obtained; 83 males (27.3%), 221 females (72.7%) with a mean age of 35.6 years. Subjects demonstrated good knowledge of COVID-19 infection (94.7%). Most respondents (95%) considered the infection as dangerous and believed the orthodontic patient was at risk of contracting the disease but were willing regardless to carry on with their orthodontic treatment during the pandemic. Fear of contracting the COVID-19 virus during orthodontic appointments and missed orthodontic appointments (74%), and increased treatment time (50%) were the immediate and long-term concerns, respectively. A high acceptance rate of compliance to precautionary measures to mitigate virus spread in the clinic was observed. Conclusions The COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on the orthodontic treatment and the financial and emotional wellbeing of orthodontic patients. Patients were willing to continue with orthodontic management during the pandemic while complying with precautionary measures to prevent disease spread in the orthodontic practice setting.

RESUMOObjetivo: Determinar a prevalência de maloclusão e necessidade de tratamento ortodôntico em crianças e adolescentes nigerianos com necessidades especiais através do Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI); e avaliar se a maloclusão sofre influência da idade e do sexo da criança. Método: A amostra foi composta por 102 crianças e adolescentes com idades entre 6 a 18 anos atendidos em 5 escolas/centros para pessoas com necessidades especiais. Um questionário pré-estruturadp foi utilizado para coletar dados sócio-demográficos. Os pacientes foram examinados no ambiente escolar, sob luz natural, sendo utilizado o Índice DAI. O teste t-student foi usado para a comparação da média dos escores DAI entre os grupos. Fez-se uso ainda da correção de Bonferroni. Resultados: Não se verificou diferenças significativas nos escores dos DAI entre o sexo e a idade(p>0,05). Maloclusão severa com tratamento altamente desejável foi observada em 18,0% da amostra. Maloclusão muito severa foi encontrada em 19%, sendo o tratamento fundamental. A perda de uma ou mais dentes estava presente em 8,8%, enquanto o apinhamento incisal foi visto em 28,4% e o espaçamento em 58,8%. Alterações no segmento anterior da maxila e da mandíbula foram encontradas em 38,2% e 47,1%, respectivamente. A mordida aberta foi diagnosticada em 25,5% da amostra. Relação molar de classe I foi observada em 68,6%. Conclusão: Uma grande proporção da população apresenta maloclusão severa, onde o tratamento é considerado fundamental. A amostra apresentou altas frequências de todas os tipos de maloclusão quando comparadas às crianças nigerianas normais, com exceção do apinhamento. DESCRIPTORS DESCRITORESEpidemiologia; Maloclusão; Portadores de Necessidades Especiais;Objective: To determine the prevalence of malocclusion and orthodontic treatment need in mentally handicapped children in Lagos, Nigeria using the DAI; and to assess whether the observed malocclusion is affected by age and sex. Method: The study population consisted of 102 non-Down syndrome mentally handicapped children between 6-18years of age from 5 special schools/centres for people with special needs in Lagos. A pre-structured questionnaire was used to record the findings and socio-demographic information. The handicapped children were examined in their respective schools under natural light, using the Dental aesthetic Index (DAI) assessments. The independent student's t-test was used for the comparison of mean DAI score between any two groups. The Bonferroni correction was applied to minimize the likelihood of type one error while undertaking multiple t-tests. Results: There were no statistically significant differences (p< 0.05) in the mean DAI scores between gender and among the age groups. Severe malocclusion with treatment 'highly desirable' was found in 18%. Handicapping malocclusion where treatment was 'mandatory' was observed in 19%. One or more missing teeth were observed in 8.8%, while incisal crowding was seen in 28.4% and spacing in 58.8%. Irregularities in the maxillary and mandibular anter...