DOI: 10.36347/sjds.2023.v10i08.001

Pages: 171-181

Introduction: Knowledge about one’s oral health and hygiene is considered to be an essential prerequisite for health-related behaviour. A dentist’s understanding about patients’ awareness and knowledge would be helpful in guiding and assisting potential patients. Thus, the objective of this study was to assess the knowledge, awareness and also the attitude of adult population in Navi Mumbai towards Orthodontic treatment. Materials and Methods: A cross- sectional questionnaire-based survey was conducted among adult population in Navi Mumbai in the month of April and May 2023. The questionnaire consisting of 17 questions was circulated amongst individuals, fitting the inclusion criteria, via social media and other online platforms. Results: This survey recorded a total of 490 responses. 53.2% of the respondents were females and 46.8% were males. Results showed that nearly 21.8% of the participants had undergone Orthodontic treatment, and all of these responses were eliminated from further consideration. Around >26% of the individuals were unaware about Orthodontics as a field of speciality, indicating a general lack of awareness of the difference between a general dentist and an Orthodontist. Majority of the individuals i.e. 84.4% responded that recognition of BDS/MDS degree holds place in choosing a dentist for their dental treatment. 87% of the participants would like to get their treatment done by a specialist in the field. >75% respondents were aware that certain habits cause malocclusion. When the participants were asked about which habits could cause malocclusion and were presented with certain options, about >54% times the participants chose tongue thrusting and bruxism as the correct option. Most of the respondents were also aware about a few demerits of malocclusion. When respondents were asked in which case would they prefer to approach an Orthodontist, they answered crowded teeth, open bite and proclined teeth most of the times. >80% of the times the ......