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Orthodontic Risk Perspectives among Orthodontists during Treatment: A Descriptive Pilot Study in Greece and Slovakia

published in Healthcare 2024, 12(4), 492; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12040492 - 18 Feb 2024

Franzeska Karkazi, Dr Maria Antoniadou, Ph.D. , Katarína Demeterová, Dimitrios Konstantonis , Vasileios Margaritis and Juraj Lysy

This study explores orthodontists’ perspectives on risks associated with orthodontic treatment, as described by Greek and Slovak orthodontists. Informed by the foundational importance of effective communication of risk perspectives in health sciences, particularly in facilitating valid consent and shared decision-making, this research addresses gaps identified in the literature concerning the consistent communication of potential treatment risks based on demographic and cultural characteristics. This study identifies 15 potential critical risks during orthodontic treatment. These risks include root resorption; temporary undesired changes to the occlusion; sleep difficulties; not achieving an ideal result; development of black triangles between teeth; taking additional X-rays; speech difficulties; using a protective splint during sports; duration of treatment; number of visits; transmission of infectious diseases; and swallowing orthodontic appliances.

#orthodontic risk #informed consent #patient-centered care #cross-cultural practices #treatment risks #digital tools #patient satisfaction #ethical considerations

Read the paper at https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12040492