How Parents Choose an Orthodontist: A New Emphasis on Age-Old Factors

Abstract

The present study aims to 1) validate a survey, and 2) use the survey to evaluate the relative and absolute importance of various factors that influence parents’ decision to patronize a particular orthodontist, including an emphasis on practitioner sex and adolescent autonomy. The study sample included 86 (20 M, 66 F) adults 41.7 ± 8.0 years of age. Each respondent was a family member of a patient currently undergoing orthodontic treatment at the practice from which the responses were obtained. The study design was cross-sectional. A survey was created using Qualtrics software and distributed via QR code at 7 private orthodontic offices throughout Texas. Questions took the form of either multiple choice or rating based on the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) from 0-100 with “Not at all important” and “Extremely important” as anchors. Some questions were based on those asked in previously validated surveys from the orthodontic literature, while others were novel to the present study. Over half (55.2%) of respondents were referred to an orthodontist by their dentist, and only 30.4% of those who were referred were referred to more than one orthodontist. Multiple consults were sought by 30.5% of respondents, with the primary reasons being to find the best fit (54.8%) and comparing cost (35.5%). In total, 20.2% of parents had a preference regarding the sex of their child’s orthodontist, the majority (70.6%) of which were mothers with a preference for their daughters. The most important factors when choosing an orthodontist were Comfort (91.6), Caring Attitude (91.6), and Communication (91.6). The least important factors were Sex (22.3), Dentist Referral (62.2), and Office Location (64.1). Messages of quality, compassion, and empowerment appealed most to parents when choosing an orthodontist. Nearly a third (32.9%) indicated that their child’s opinion did (or would) heavily influence the selection of an orthodontist. Over 40% of parents would pursue a different treatment plan if their child was opposed to one presented by the orthodontist. Many parents seek consults with multiple orthodontists to find the best fit and affordability. Comfort, Caring Attitude, and Communication were the most important factors for parents when choosing an orthodontist for their child. Orthodontist sex was the least important factor and most parents do not have a preference regarding it. However, when parents do have a preference, it’s typically the mother preferring a female orthodontist for her daughter. Nearly all children have some influence in who their orthodontist will be, and many have a heavy influence in orthodontic treatment decisions, though relatively few actually express an opinion.