The uninformed orthodontic patient and parent: treatment outcomes.

Full Abstract

In both medical and dental settings, researchers have found that patients do not always adequately comprehend the information given during informed consent discussions. The objective of this study was to evaluate patient and parent understanding of the child's orthodontic treatment in a dental school population, compare this with information in patients' charts, and assess the effects of vocabulary and educational level on patients' and parents' comprehension. Interviews were conducted with 21 children, ages 7 to 12 years, undergoing early orthodontic treatment at a dental school and 1 parent or guardian per child. Open-ended questions were asked regarding reasons for treatment, risks, and patient and parent responsibilities. Children had been in treatment for 1 to 24 months (mean = 7.84 +/- 9.42). Patient and parent responses were compared with information in the children's charts. On average, parents recalled only 2.1 reasons for treatment and children recalled only 1.24; the charts listed an average of 4.1 diagnoses. Children could recall only 0.67 risks and parents 0.60 risks, yet many patients had already experienced problems with their treatment on average. The vocabulary levels of the children and their parents were low; parents' vocabulary and educational levels were correlated with their comprehension of this material. Further research should be aimed at improving methods of preparing child patients and their parents for major dental procedures, especially in a publicly funded clinic.

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Author information

Author/s: Baird, Jessica F (JF); Kiyak, H Asuman (HA);

Affiliation: University of Washington, Seatle 98195-7134, USA.

Grants: T35-DE07150 (Agency:NIDCR NIH HHS)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

Journal: American journal of orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics : official publication of the American Association of Orthodontists, its constituent societies, and the American Board of Orthodontics (Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2003-Aug; vol 124 (issue 2) : pp 212-5

Dates: Created 2003/08/18; Completed 2003/09/04; Revised 2007/11/14;

PMID: 12923519, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Child
Comprehension
Dental Care for Children - psychology
Dental Records
Educational Status
Humans

Humans
Informed Consent
Orthodontics, Corrective - psychology
Parents - psychology
Treatment Outcome
Vocabulary

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