Table 8 Comparison of orthodontic patients’ level of confidence in resuming treatment during the pandemic between normal and mental distress groups by the Kessler scale using two-sided Mann-Whitney U tests. P < 0.05*
From: Patients’ perceptions of orthodontic treatment experiences during COVID-19: a cross-sectional study
Questions related to the level of confidence in resuming treatment in the pandemic | Normal: K10 total ≤ 19 (n = 106) | Mental Distress: K10 total > 19 (n = 15) | P-Value | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mean ± SD | Median (25%, 75%) | Mean ± SD | Median (25%, 75%) | ||
I am confident in resuming my orthodontic treatment and finishing it while at the pandemic | 4.61 ± 0.88 | 5.00 (5.00, 5.00) | 4.44 ± 0.62 | 4.50 (4.00, 5.00) | 0.038* |
I trust my orthodontist to deliver the same standard of care during the pandemic | 4.61 ± 0.83 | 5.00 (4.50, 5.00 | 4.56 ± 0.70 | 5.00 (4.00, 5.00) | 0.468 |
I have maintained the same standards of oral hygiene as instructed by my provider during the pandemic | 4.56 ± 0.79 | 5.00 (4.00, 5.00) | 4.39 ± 0.92 | 5.00 (4.00, 5.00) | 0.449 |
I have maintained the post-operative instructions and took care of my appliance during the pandemic | 4.35 ± 0.93 | 5.00 (4.00, 5.00) | 4.67 ± 0.49 | 5.00 (4.00, 5.00) | 0.225 |
It is necessary for an orthodontist to follow up on their patients during the pandemic or any similar emergencies | 4.08 ± 0.88 | 4.00 (4.00, 5.00) | 4.44 ± 0.70 | 5.00 (4.00, 5.00) | 0.086 |
Do you feel it is safe to see your orthodontist for full adjustment appointment during the pandemic? | 4.26 ± 0.81 | 4.00 (4.00, 5.00) | 3.89 ± 0.83 | 4.00 (3.25, 4.00) | 0.056 |
I like to postpone my treatment until the pandemic is over (negative correlated; coding reversed) | 4.27 ± 0.85 | 4.00 (4.00, 5.00) | 3.83 ± 1.04 | 4.00 (3.00, 5.00) | 0.071 |
I would like to discontinue my treatment and remove my braces because of the pandemic (negative correlated; coding reversed) | 4.44 ± 0.95 | 5.00 (4.00, 5.00) | 4.11 ± 1.13 | 5.00 (3.00, 5.00) | 0.267 |
I agree with the idea of reducing the number of visits to an orthodontic clinic during the pandemic (negative correlated; coding reversed) | 2.95 ± 1.08 | 3.00 (2.00, 4.00) | 2.94 ± 1.30 | 3.00 (2.25, 4.00) | 1.000 |
It is difficult to interact and communicate with my orthodontist while at the clinic during the pandemic (negative correlated; coding reversed) | 4.07 ± 0.84 | 4.00 (4.00, 5.00) | 3.41 ± 1.00 | 4.00 (2.00, 4.00) | 0.004* |
I am pleased with the way my appointment was handled during the pandemic. | 4.43 ± 0.86 | 5.00 (4.00, 5.00) | 4.11 ± 0.90 | 4.00 (4.00, 5.00) | 0.081 |
Total score | 46.78 ± 4.68 | 47.00 (45.00, 50.00) | 44.41 ± 4.85 | 44.00 (42.00, 48.00) | 0.035* |