Knowledge and Awareness of Students Towards Early Orthodontic Treatment.

Objective: Early orthodontic treatment aims to correct dental and skeletal anomalies at an early stage, thereby preventing the possible aggravation of orthodontic issues in the future. This study investigated the knowledge and awareness of early orthodontic treatment among dental students to identify potential areas of improvement in further education.

Methods: A structured questionnaire was developed that comprised 16 questions, categorised into three sections: (1) Basic information, (2) causes and effects of malocclusion and (3) knowledge of early orthodontic treatment. A total of 283 surveys were distributed electronically, and responses were collected anonymously. Total scores were calculated and compared across different groups.

Results: A total of 249 questionnaires were returned, with an average knowledge score of 9.02. Participants ≤ 25 years scored 7.75, significantly lower than those > 25 years who scored 9.90 (p < 0.01). Orthodontic students scored higher than non-orthodontic students (9.54 versus 8.63; p < 0.01). Participants with training scored higher than those without (9.90 versus 8.08; p < 0.01).

Conclusion: There was a strong understanding of the aetiology and impact of malocclusion among the majority of the respondents. However, more than 40% failed to understand that the optimal time for early treatment depends on the type of malocclusion. Their knowledge about the timing and indication of early orthodontic treatment was deemed insufficient. Improving orthodontic education programmes and offering additional training opportunities can essentially address these gaps and enhance the understanding of early orthodontic care among students, as evident from the significantly higher scores among students who received prior training (9.90 versus 8.08; p < 0.01).