Abstract

The on-going Corona virus disease (COVID-19) outbreak has become the world’s leading health headline and is causing major panic and public concerns. There are very less studies for the orthodontic patient perspective where they were entirely restricted to their homes. Aim: To assess the impact of COVID-19 lockdown on patients undergoing Orthodontic Treatment in district Solan population. Materials and method: A self-designed questionnaire of 14 questions was distributed to 120 patients.The obtained data was evaluated using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: The study revealed that the majority of patients were affected by the lack of access to orthodontic visits with fear of increased treatment time. They faced problems like poking wires, broken brackets, lose bands etc and had lack of communication between the orthodontist and patients. Conclusion: The study threw light on the essential need for understanding the psychology of patients undergoing orthodontic treatment. In any situation where patients do not have access to seek help. All the factors discussed in the study should be considered and it is of utmost importance that orthodontic professionals see to it that their patients are being looked after mentally, if not physically, in whatever way possible.

• 1.   Chen P, Mao L, Nassis GP, Harmer P, Ainsworth BE, Li F. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): the need to maintain regular physical activity while taking precautions. J Sport Health Sci. 2020;9:103- 104.
• 2.   BBC News. Coronavirus: India enters “total lockdown” after spike in cases. https://www. bbc.com/news/world-asiaindia-52024239; 2020. Accessed Mar 31, 2020.
• 3.   García-Camba P, Marcianes M, Morales MV. Changes in orthodontics during the COVID-19 pandemic that have come to stay.American Journal of Orthodontics and DentofacialOrthopedics. 2020 Oct 1;158(4):e1-3.
• 4.   Bartsch A, Witt E, Sahm G, Schneider S. Correlates of objective patient compliance with removable appliance wear. Am J OrthodDentofacialOrthop. 1993;104(4):378-386.
• 5.   Royko A, Denes Z, Razouk G. The relationship between the length of orthodontic treatment and patient compliance.FogorvSz. 1999;92(3):79-86.
• 6.   Royko A, Denes Z, Razouk G. The relationship between the length of orthodontic treatment and patient compliance.FogorvSz. 1999;92(3):79-86.
• 7.   Baab D, Weinstein P. Longitudinal evaluation of a selfinspection plaque index in periodontal recall patients. J ClinPeriodontol. 1986;13(4):313-318.
• 8.   Gyawali R, Pokharel PR, Giri J. Emergency appointments in orthodontics. APOS Trends Orthod. 2019;9(1):40-43.
• 9.   Caprioglio A, Pizzetti GB, Zecca PA, Fastuca R, Maino G, Nanda R. Management of orthodontic emergencies during 2019-NCOV. ProgOrthod. 2020;21:10.
• 10.   Mousa AA, Mahmoud NM, Tag El Din AM. Knowledge and attitudes of dental patients towards cross-infection control measures in dental practice. East Mediterr Health J. 1997;3(2),263-273.
• 11.   https://www. merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ emergency.
• 12.   Sinha PK, Nanda RS, McNeil DW.Perceived orthodontist behaviors that predict patient satisfaction, orthodontist-patient relationship, and patient adherence in orthodontic treatment. American Journal of Orthodontics and DentofacialOrthopedics. 1996 Oct 1;110(4):370-7.
• 13.   Abellán R, Gómez C, Iglesias-Linares A, Palma JC. Impact of photodynamic therapy versus ultrasonic scaler on gingival health during treatment with orthodontic fixed appliances.Lasers in surgery and medicine. 2019 Mar;51(3):256-67.

Data Sharing Statement

Funding