Abstract
Objectives : This study aimed to determine self-esteem and oral health impact profile (OHIP) of orthodontic patients to get data necessary for the process of consultation, education, and treatment for those patients who hoped to get orthodontic therapy in order to see effects of orthodontic therapy on personal life in consideration of general characteristics of those patients under orthodontic therapy. methods : A self-administered questionnaire was used among 232 outpatients under orthodontic therapy from October to November 2009, obtaining the following results. Results : 1. As for general characteristics of respondents, those under 19 years of age constituted 46.6%; the unmarried comprised 85.8%; and students constituted 53.4%. 2. Most respondents were getting orthodontic therapy for beauty (41.8%) and dental health (40.5%). Family (54.3%) contributed to their decision to get orthodontic therapy; parents or siblings (62.5%) were bearing the treatment expenses. 3. Females were getting orthodontic therapy for an aesthetic purpose (50.3%), and male for the purpose of dental health (44.6%) (P<0.01). 4. OHIP was slightly higher among males ($4.10{\pm}0.61$) than among female ($4.00{\pm}0.78$), and was highest among those 19 years old and under ($4.17{\pm}0.67$); the older they were, the lower it was significantly (P<0.05). Most of them were earning 3 to 4 million won ($4.22{\pm}0.72$); the married ($4.05{\pm}0.74$) constituted higher percentage. As for occupation, students ($4.13{\pm}0.66$) comprised the highest percentage. 5. Self-esteem was higher among males ($3.83{\pm}0.47$) than among females ($3.80{\pm}0.50$), and was highest among those 25 to 29 years old ($3.92{\pm}0.46$). Most of them were earning more than 5 million won ($3.91{\pm}0.42$), which was statistically significant (P<0.01). The married ($3.91{\pm}0.54$) constituted higher percentage than the unmarried ($3.80{\pm}0.48$); office managers ($3.95{\pm}0.55$) comprised the highest percentage. 6. As for correlation between variables effecting OHIP of orthodontic patients, there was negative correlation in age (r=-0.225) and positive correlation in occupation (r=0.122). As for correlation between variables effecting self-esteem of orthodontic patients, there was negative correlation in occupation (r=-0.130) and positive correlation n income (0.126), while there was positive correlation (r=0.202) between OHIP and self-esteem of orthodontic patients. Conclusions : Younger orthodontic patients who were students showed higher OHIP, and professionals earning more showed higher self-esteem. Orthodontic patients with higher OHIP showed higher self-esteem. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a program based on OHIP and self-esteem in consulting and treating orthodontic patients; since it is considered that orthodontic therapy will improve appearance, enhance self-confidence, and have positive effects on interpersonal relationships and quality of living, researches are necessary on constant changes in psychological properties.
