Percepción de los padres/tutores sobre el tratamiento ortodóncico en pacientes con discapacidades

Abstract

Objective: to evaluate the perception of parents/tutors of patients with disabilities (PD) on the PD´s orthodontic treatment (OT). Patients and methodology: we interviewed the parents/tutors of 63 PD, who were undergoing OT. The questionnaire consisted of questions about attitude and adaptation during OT, benefits and adverse effects derived from OT, as well as the level of satisfaction achieved after the completion of the treatment. Results: the main medical diagnoses were Down syndrome and mental and/or psychomotor retardation. According to the parents/tutors, 84.2 % of the PD were particularly motivated during therapy, increasing the level of collaboration in daily oral hygiene procedures. Adaptation of the PD to OT was fast, particularly when they wore a fixed appliance (92 %). More than 70% of parents/tutors of the PD stated that OT had affected social acceptance positively and it had improved social integration of the PD. In the 76.2 % of PD, the appliances did not alter everyday oral functions. Conclusions: a high level of collaboration of parents/tutors and the PD was perceived in relation to OT. Its practice was associated with a significant improvement in quality of life, social acceptance and integration of PD. All parents/tutors would be willing to repeat the OT, and would recommend it for other disabled patients.