Survey on the Orthodontic Awareness in MGM Campus, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Awareness is the state or ability to perceive, to feel, or to be conscious. The decision to go for an orthodontic treatment is influenced by the desire to look attractive, to overcome social pressure, and to enhance self-esteem. The aim of the present survey was to assess the awareness of orthodontics in MGM Campus, Navi Mumbai. This study was carried out through an online questionnaire of 22 questions which was distributed through various channels, such as personal e-mails and communication through the phone to students of MGM Campus, Navi Mumbai fitting the inclusion criteria. The sample size of 285 represented a population of students in the age group of 18–24 years. The questionnaire was made accessible to the participants for 2 months. Results showed that nearly 78% of the subjects had visited a dentist before while 40% were unaware of the role of an orthodontist, indicating a general lack of awareness of the difference between a general dentist and an orthodontist. The majority of the subjects were able to notice people with irregular teeth around them and 79.6% of the subjects noticed improper positioning of their teeth by themselves, thus indicating that people were conscious about the crowding seen within their dentition. More than 80% of the subjects believed that maintaining oral hygiene is difficult with the presence of crowded teeth, oral habits can have deleterious effects on teeth, and for an esthetic facial appearance, teeth should be well aligned. Nearly 50% of the participants were simply unaware that orthodontic treatment could be performed after the age of 40 years as well. Majority were aware of the various types of braces and >60% of the subjects knew that ceramic and lingual braces are more expensive as compared to traditional metal braces. A lack of awareness about invisible braces options was seen in >60% of the participants. Diet restrictions for better orthodontic results were known to majority of the participants. Nearly 90% of the subjects knew that special care has to be taken of oral hygiene during the orthodontic treatment. Extraction protocol for better treatment results and disadvantages, such as pain and ulcerations, either was known to >80% of the subjects. More than 70% were aware that orthodontic treatment is usually of longer duration as compared to other types of dental treatment. Nearly 46% of the subjects were unaware of the frequency of orthodontic appointments. Only 66% knew that it is necessary to wear retainers after the completion of treatment. More than 50% felt that self-consciousness would majorly influence their decision to go for orthodontic treatment. Nearly 60% felt that social life is not adversely affected by braces. There was less awareness in young adults, about various orthodontic treatment options and in general about orthodontic treatment, hence there is a need to create awareness about the same, which will help us provide a better quality of treatment. Vajifaker PJ, Mhatre AC, Joshi D. Survey on the Orthodontic Awareness in MGM Campus, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. J Contemp Dent 2019;9(3):101–108.