Page 137 - FINAL COMPENDIUM 2020-2021 27.2.2022

DELIVERY OF INFORMATION ON ORTHODONTIC RETENTION IN KOTA BHARU MAIN
CLINIC: A CROSS-SECTIONAL SURVEY
NMRR-18-3455-44648

Ooi EF, Yatimah O

Introduction: Retention is vital part in an orthodontic treatment. A good compliance to
retainer wear will ensure a stable treatment result and prevent relapse. Patient’s
knowledge on retention and their satisfaction to the retainers is important in the longevity
of their treatment outcome. Objective: To evaluate the delivery of information to patients
about orthodontic retention in Orthodontic unit, Kota Bharu Dental Clinic. Materials and
methods: A total of 59 patients that undergone and completed their orthodontic
treatment participated in this study. All participants answered a questionnaire that aimed
to collect demographic information, patient’s understanding on orthodontic retention
phase, their compliance to retainer instructions and satisfaction on their retainers. Data
from the questionnaire were compiled, analysed descriptively, and summarised using
Microsoft Excel. Results: Almost all patients (n=57) reported they were aware of the
importance of wearing retainers to maintain their treatment results. Only a third of the
participants (28.8%) stated that they were informed about the retention phase before the
start of their treatment. All participants were given instruction on the insertion, removal
and care of the retainers. Leaflets (28.8%) and photos (23.7%) were the most preferred
mode to facilitate patient’s understanding. 93.2% (n=55) of the participants were satisfied
with their retainers and the compliance rate is 78% (n=46). Conclusions: Nearly all
orthodontic patients were aware about wearing retainers as part of their orthodontic
treatment. However, only two-thirds of the participants were notified about retainers
during or after the completion of their orthodontic treatment. The most preferred
information reinforcement was by providing leaflets to the patient, followed by visual-
aided techniques (photos and videos). Although a majority of the participants were
satisfied with their retainers but not all of them wears their retainers as instructed. The
most common reasons for non-compliance are forgetfulness and difficulty in speech.

Keywords: Orthodontic Treatment, Retention, Retainers, Delivery of Information

nd
Virtual poster presentation at the 22 NIH Scientific Conference on 21-23 September 2021

Dr Ooi Ee Fen
Orthodontic Unit
Sungai Petani, Kedah

Dr Yatimah Othman
Orthodontic Unit
Shah Alam, Selangor

113