Study shows that malocclusion has a negative impact on adolescents’ quality of life

Lucas Guimarães Abreu, Doctoral student, Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry Department, Dentistry School, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil

A group of researchers of Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) concluded, in a study that was published with the following title “Perception of parents and caregivers regarding the impact of malocclusion on adolescents’ quality of life: a cross-sectional study”, on vol. 21, n. 6 of Dental Press Journal of Orthodontics, that malocclusion may exert a negative effect on adolescents’ quality of life. The research included parents or caregivers who accompanied their adolescent sons/daughters to dentist appointments at UFMG School of Dentistry. When caring for adolescents, dentists frequently take parents and caregivers’ opinions into consideration, for they may be aware of important aspects of their children, apart from the fact that they are considered to be the main decision makers whenever a diagnostic procedure or a dental treatment is about to be performed in a minor.

The study makes it clear that, after answering a questionnaire on their children’s dental health, parents and caregivers affirm that malocclusion (improper alignment of the teeth) has an adverse effect on young individuals’ well-being, impacting upon their emotional state and their social interaction with colleagues at the same age. The presence of teeth with an unfavorable appearance may turn an adolescent into a stigmatized and insecure person, as other adolescents may harass them due to the dental problem in question.

The conclusions of this research may be useful to all adolescents’ parents or caregivers on the importance of dental follow-up to their sons/daughters. Once malocclusion is detected, it must be treated with appropriate appliances (orthodontic treatment). Not treating and persistence of improper alignment of the teeth may have devastating consequences to the youngster’s self-steam. All this information may also be important to health services organizers who should include the orthodontic treatment as one of the protocols offered in their services.

To read the article, acess it:

ABREU, L.G., et al. Perception of parents and caregivers regarding the impact of malocclusion on adolescents’ quality of life: a cross-sectional study. Dental Press J. Orthod. [online] 2016, vol. 21, no. 6, pp. 74-81, ISSN: 2177-6709 [viewed 14 February 2017]. DOI: 10.1590/2177-6709.21.6.074-081.oar. Available from: http://ref.scielo.org/wyj9fs

External Link

Dental Press Journal of Orthodontics – DPJO: <http://www.scielo.br/dpjo>