Factors influencing satisfaction with the process of orthodontic treatment in adult patients.

INTRODUCTION: Despite the increases in adults undergoing orthodontic treatment in both the public and private sectors, satisfaction with the treatment process has not been widely explored. In this study, we investigated factors influencing satisfaction with the process of orthodontic treatment in adult patients.

METHODS: This was a prospective cross-sectional qualitative study. Participants were adults who had completed orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances and were recruited from 2 sites (a National Health Service public sector teaching hospital and a private specialist practice). Data were collected using in-depth interviews, and a content thematic analysis with a framework approach was used to analyze the data.

RESULTS: A total of 26 adults were recruited (13 at each site). Five main themes were identified relating to patient satisfaction with the process of treatment: communication, staff, physical environment, appointments, and impact of appliance treatment. Effective communication was a dominant theme, particularly relating to explanations during treatment and making patients feel involved in their own care.

CONCLUSIONS: In general, adult orthodontic patients were satisfied with the process of treatment, and good communication played a major part in this. Despite the differences in working models in the public and private sectors, many similarities arose when comparing the factors between the 2 sites.