Exploring Parental Perceptions and Barriers to Early Orthodontic Treatment in Children: A Mixed-Methods Study

TL;DR

This study explores why parents may delay or avoid early orthodontic treatment for children, identifying key barriers like cost and lack of awareness.

Contribution

The study introduces a mixed-methods approach to uncover both quantitative and qualitative barriers to early orthodontic treatment in children.

Findings

Only 38.7% of parents who sought orthodontic consultation had initiated treatment.

High cost (32.1%) and long wait times (30.6%) were the most reported barriers.

Thematic analysis identified financial, structural, cognitive, and psychological barriers.

Abstract

Parents’ awareness, attitudes, and perceptions of barriers to orthodontic care for children significantly influence decisions regarding early orthodontic interventions. This mixed-methods study explored parents’ perceptions of their child’s orthodontic needs and examined their experiences and perceived barriers to accessing early orthodontic treatment (EOT) among children aged 6–12 years. Methods: Quantitative data were collected using a 12-item validated questionnaire, while qualitative insights were obtained through structured interviews and analyzed thematically. Results: Parents’ perception of their child’s orthodontic needs was significantly associated with their attitude toward seeking consultation or treatment (p < 0.001). Among parents who sought consultation, only 38.7% had initiated the required orthodontic treatment. The most frequently reported barriers were high cost (32.1%), long appointment wait times (30.6%), and lack of insurance coverage (22.5%). Thematic analysis revealed four major barriers: financial, structural, cognitive, and psychological. Conclusions: These findings highlight critical challenges to accessing EOT for children, including affordability, long waiting times, limited parental awareness, and inadequate, timely referrals. Addressing these challenges through combined efforts at both the individual and community levels could significantly enhance the uptake of early orthodontic services in children.

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