Does orthodontic treatment in early adolescence positively influence psychosocial wellbeing in adulthood?

Design Prospective cohort study.Cohort selection A large cohort of 13-year-old children who participated in a South Australian population oral health study. a total of 1859 participants residing in metropolitan Adelaide were mailed a self-administered questionnaire when they turned 30 years of age.Data analysis Demographic data (sex, education level and income), dental behaviour (brushing habits, dental visits in past two years) and receipt of fixed orthodontic treatment were coded as dichotomous data. Psychosocial factors (self-efficacy, health competence, social support and optimism) were recorded on Likert scale as continuous measures. Severity of baseline malocclusion in untreated 13-year-olds was recorded using Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI).Regression analysis was performed to detect for associations between orthodontic treatment and each psychosocial factor and all independent variables were included in adjusted generalised linear models. Statistical significance level was set at p <0.05.Results Data from 448 participants (24%) informed the study results. Statistically significant association was found between low income (<80,00 AUD) and basic secondary education with each of the four psychosocial variables studied. Severity of baseline malocclusion (indicated by DAI) or prior orthodontic treatment was not associated with better psychosocial outcomes. Importantly, better psychosocial outcomes were observed among participants who had no prior orthodontic treatment.Conclusions Prior orthodontic treatment had no influence on psychosocial outcomes over the long-term.