The impact of functional appliance treatment on bullying and quality of life in adolescents and their parents

Abstract

Abstract Title: The impact of functional appliance treatment on bullying and quality of life in adolescents and their parents.

Aims and Objectives: The objectives of this prospective cohort study were to assess the impact of functional appliance treatment on bullying and oral health quality of life (OHRQoL) among adolescents during and after treatment, and to measure the discrepancy effect of bullying and OHRQoL between adolescents and their parents.

Methods: A total of 74 untreated patients between the ages of 11-14 years and categorized as 5a IOTN (increased overjet more than 9 mm) were recruited from the treatment waiting list at HSE Regional orthodontic unit in St James?s Hospital, Dublin, Ireland. Adolescents and their parents were asked to complete validated questionnaires to measure the experience of bullying and OHRQoL immediately before, during and following completion of functional appliance treatment.

Results: The participation rate was 79% (n=57). The pre-treatment questionnaire reported fourteen participants were being bullied. Following completion of functional appliance treatment seven participants were no longer being bullied (T1= (14) 23.7%, T2= (10) 16.9%, T3= (7) 11.9%, P =.128). ANOVA analysis for CPQ revealed a statistically significant difference in the emotional-well being subscale reported by the adolescents (P = .021). The results indicate that adolescents' emotional well-being improved as they progressed through functional appliance treatment. At Pre-treatment adolescents who rated themselves as bullied reported poorer OHRQoL, specifically on the emotional well being (t = -2.26, P = .028), social well-being (t = -2.26, P = .027), and functional limitation subscales (t= -2.37, P = .021). There was a good level of agreement in reporting bullying episodes between adolescents and their parents.

Conclusion- ? Functional appliance treatment for adolescent patients with Class II division I malocclusion has a positive impact on their OHRQoL. ? Functional appliance treatment for adolescent patients with Class II division I malocclusion reduces prevalence of bullying episodes. There is a relationship between adolescents? reports of being bullied and poor OHRQoL. ? There was a good level of agreement between adolescents? and parents? ratings of the adolescent?s quality of life and the rate of bullying episodes during orthodontic treatment with a functional appliance.