Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown on Patients Undergoing Orthodontic Treatment: A Questionnaire Study

With COVID-19 declared as a worldwide pandemic, a nationwide lockdown was implemented overnight in India on March 24, 2020. With no prior warning or anticipation, patient appointments were temporarily ceased as institutions and clinics were indefinitely closed. To our knowledge, no study addresses the orthodontic patient perspective in such testing times, where they are entirely restricted to the confines of their homes. Aim: To assess the impact of the COVID-19-related lockdown on the treatment and psychology of patients undergoing orthodontic treatment. Material and methods: A self-designed online exploratory questionnaire of 15 questions was distributed to 500 potential responders selected from obtained lists through messages and emails. It was mandatory to answer all questions and the survey was anonymized and did not contain any identifying information. Online consent was taken before participation in the study. The obtained data were evaluated using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: The response rate was 81.6%. The study revealed that the majority of patients were affected by the lack of access to orthodontic visits. The reasons for the same were attributed to fear of increased treatment duration, inconveniences caused by poking wires, broken brackets, etc., and lack of communication between the orthodontists and patients, among the various other reasons. The importance of orthodontic appointments was also understood by 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.