Objective: To compare both clinically assessed and patient reported treatment outcome measures, in a sample of orthodontic patients.
Method: A prospective study of fifty consecutive patients who completed single or double arch fixed appliance treatment at Christchurch Hospital, New Zealand. There were three different patient categories: standard adolescent (n=28), oro-facial clefts (n2=19) and orthognathic surgery (n3=7). The pre and post treatment Peer Assessment Rating Index (PAR) and Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) were used to assess clinical and self reported oral health related quality of life (OHRQoL) changes respectively.
Results: 1. PAR Index (% improvement): A ‘high standard of care’ was achieved for surgical patients (92%) and adolescent patients (77.4%). Clefts had the lowest percentage improvement (54.5%). 2. OHIP-14 (Impacts): All the patients reported psychological discomfort prior to treatment. Surgical patients reported a 100% improvement, adolescent patients 81% with clefts reporting 61% improvement. 3. PAR Index vs. OHIP-14: There were no significant differences between the pre-treatment PAR Index and OHIP-14 scores, however there were significantly improved post-treatment scores (p<0.05) in 4 components of the PAR Index and 3 domains of the OHIP-14.
Conclusions: Orthodontic treatment provides positive clinically assessed and patient perceived outcomes. Cleft patients appear less satisfied with treatment and experience a reduced change in PAR Index than the other groups. There is a likely association between selected components of the PAR Index and specific domains of the OHIP-14.