Perception of oral health related quality of life (OHQOL) in patients undergoing orthodontic treatment post COVID-19 pandemic

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Faisal Arshad

RajaRajeswari Dental College & Hospital, India

: Dent Health Curr Res

Abstract

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During the beginning of the Coronavirus Disease in 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, there was lockdown in India and all dental practices were halted by the Government, so Orthodontic patients had to postpone their check-ups for at least eight weeks. This led not only to a delayed end of treatment but also to accidents and complications. The transmissibility of COVID-19 created a fear among the patients to visit their Orthodontist for Orthodontic treatment. The present study has tried to evaluate the orthodontic situation both from the patient’s and orthodontist’s point of view post COVID-19 pandemic, so the patients were given a few questions to answer, and the orthodontist analyzed each answer about the perception and mindset of the patient before and after COVID 19 lockdown to assess the fear and mental state of patients undergoing Orthodontic treatment. The study group consisted of 200 patients evaluated by three orthodontists in the same private practice. Patients that have gotten were worse after the COVID 19 pandemic lockdown or who had problems were included in the study. Also, all the patients were given a 7-question form in order to find out their opinion. After two months without check-ups, it was found that 15.5% of patients have still lot of anxiety and apprehension about returning to their Orthodontist for continuing the Orthodontic treatment. Most of the patients believe that their treatment was delayed by the Covid19 pandemic. The Covid-19 pandemic had severe effects on Orthodontic treatments. Orthodontists noticed a delay for about one-third of their patients. However, from the patient’s point of view, more than half believed that their treatment was positively affected by the Covid-19 pandemic in different degrees. Keywords: Covid-19 pandemic, orthodontic treatment.

Biography

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Dr. Faisal Arshad is an accomplished orthodontist associated with the Department of Orthodontics at RajaRajeswari Dental College & Hospital in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India. Renowned for his expertise in orthodontic treatments, Dr. Arshad is dedicated to enhancing smiles and improving dental health. His contributions to the field have earned him acclaim and gratitude from patients and peers alike.