The OralMed Dental Medicine Clinics recently developed the first “Portrait of Orthodontics in Portugal” – a nationwide study that assesses the main motivations and withdrawals of Portuguese people in relation to orthodontics and offers several suggestions for dentists.
One of the most striking results of the study is the lack of awareness regarding orthodontics. Apparently, half of the population do not know what orthodontics is, or have an incorrect perception of the clinical area. In addition to this, of those who claim to know what it is, 47% don’t know how to explain it.
The study also points to a low use of orthodontic devices. According to the research, 77% of Portuguese people who have heard of dental braces have never had this type of treatment, which could indicate a great need for intervention. However, in a context of self-assessment, the vast majority of respondents (78%) were convinced that they did not need the device at that time. The study was developed with the scientific coordination of João Marôco, and can be consulted here.
