Factors Influencing Subjective Orthodontic Treatment Need and Culture‐related Differences among Chinese Natives and Foreign Inhabitants

Abstract

Aim The aim of this survey was to compare Chinese natives and foreign inhabitants in Chengdu, China, with respect to: (1) attitudes towards dental appearance, (2) subjective orthodontic treatment need, and (3) the main factors influencing orthodontic treatment need.Methodology A total of 522 subjects, including 227 foreign inhabitants and 295 Chinese natives in Chengdu participated in the survey. A simple random sampling method was adopted and a face-to-face interview was conducted at some public sites using a questionnaire. Data was entered by two persons synchronously using Epidata 3.0, and SPSS 13.0 was used to analyze these data.Results 89.0% of foreign inhabitants were satisfied with their teeth compared to only 46.8% of Chinese natives.Females were more dissatisfied with their teeth than males.Chinese natives put improving appearance as the top priority (55.9%) for seeking orthodontic treatment; however, in foreign inhabitants, the main reason for seeking treatment was to improve masticatory function (44.1%), followed by "to be pretty" (35.2%). The importance of well-aligned teeth and self-perception of psychosocial impact of malocclusion were the same two main factors influencing subjective orthodontic treatment need (P<0.05) in foreign inhabitants and Chinese natives. Subjective orthodontic treatment need between the two target groups was significantly different (P<0.05). Conclusion (1) It was very common that Chinese nativeswere dissatisfied with their dental appearance, and their subjective orthodontic treatment needs were high. (2) There were some differences in orthodontic treatment motives between the two target groups. (3) There were differences in subjective orthodontic treatment needs between foreign inhabitants and Chinese natives. However, the prominent influential factors were almost the same. There may be benefit to understanding subjective orthodontic needs of different races.

Desire for orthodontic treatment and associated factors among adolescents in southern Brazil

“…While most previous investigations have not reported an association between an improvement in chewing function and the desire for orthodontic treatment, Li et al 38 found a positive association between these variables. These findings demonstrate that esthetic aspects are not the only reason why adolescents seek treatment.…”

Fatores individuais e contextuais associados à má oclusão em crianças brasileiras

“…Namely, the self-perception in children should be seen as fundamentally important in understanding the impact of malocclusion on daily life, especially in relation to functional limitations and psychosocial well-being, since it greatly values the physical appearance. 19 With regard to access, the results of this study show greater severity of malocclusion in those children who have visited the dentist at least once in their lives. According to Peres et al 11 (2008), there is an increased use of dental services and a reduction in the proportion of people who had never consulted a dentist.…”

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