Orthodontic emergencies and mental health of patients undergoing orthodontic treatment during COVID-19 pandemic: A questionnaire study

• Main Authors: Sanjeev Verma (Author), Nameksh Raj Bhupali (Author), Satinder Pal Singh (Author), Vinay Kumar (Author), Raj Kumar Verma (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Elsevier, 2023-03-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 2212-4268; 10.1016/j.jobcr.2022.12.007
• Keywords: COVID-19; Coronavirus disease; Mental distress; Orthodontic emergency; Psychological evaluation; Dentistry; RK1-715
• Source: Journal of Oral Biology and Craniofacial Research, Vol 13, Iss 2, Pp 177-185 (2023)

Objectives: To evaluate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on orthodontic treatment and mental health of patients undergoing orthodontic treatment and to compare their mental health with the age-matched control group. Materials and methods: 484 orthodontic patients (245 males and 239 females) and 200 age-matched control subjects were divided into two age groups. Group 1 had 14-18 years of adolescents (N = 274) and 100 control participants (Group 2) and Group 3 comprised of 19 years above adults (N = 210) and 100 control participants (Group 4). Group 1 and 3 patients filled the 4 sections of the questionnaire related to orthodontic emergencies (Sections 1-3) and mental distress (Kessler Psychological Distress Scale-Section 4), while groups 2 and 4 were asked to fill only Section-4. The comparison of mental distress on high/low Kessler scores was made using the Chi-Square test/Fisher's exact test. The factors which came out to be significant were put to bivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: The percentage of patients with high Kessler scores among Group 1 and Group 3 were 9.9% and 17.2% respectively, and their differences with age-matched control groups were non-significant. The mean differences of Kessler score were significantly higher for Group 3 compared to group 1. The higher Kessler score was associated with age, higher education, a feeling of concern for non-availability of appointments, increased treatment duration, its effect on the quality of treatment, and sabotaging of definitive future plans. Conclusions: The orthodontic treatment and emergencies may not be a significant factor contributing to increased stress among patients during the lockdown.