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Nowadays, the orthodontic patients are more numerous and variety of age group. There are various factors affecting the patient's decision to undergo orthodontic treatment. The motivation is one such factor affects the treatment decision. In addition, it also affects the patients’ adherence and the success of the treatment as well. Since the patient motivation as the dynamic has changed and there are many factors promoting and inhibiting actions and persistence of motive during the long term treatment. The orthodontist should know and applied the patients’ motivation to create good relationship between dentist and patients, for reinforcing patients cooperate in continuous treatments, and achieve the success outcomes. The previous study on the motivation of patients found that various patients’ motivation affects to patients’ decision to receive orthodontic treatment.
The study aim to identify and compare the factors that affects to the orthodontic patients’ motivation to undergo orthodontic treatment between two hospitals in Taiwan and Thailand.
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The samples comprised 500 orthodontic patients by a convenience sampling method. 250 was conducted from Sunpasitthiprasong hospital in Thai, and 250 from Taipei Medical University Hospital in Taiwan. The sample age 20 years and older. The questionnaire with 10 demographic and 24 motivation questions were completed by all subjects without name identified. Visual analog scale (VAS) was used to the motivation questions. Statistical analysis was undertaken using t-test, chi-square test and multiple regression analysis.
< Results>
Most of twenty-four motivation variables was significant difference between Thai and Taiwan orthodontic patients groups, while only seven motivation variables were non-significant difference between both groups. “Desire to straighten their teeth” was the main motivational factor for seeking orthodontic treatment in Thai orthodontic patients group (8.08±1.49) and were significantly (p <0.001) from Taiwan patients group (6.18±2.41). Meanwhile, “ improve the appearance of smile” was the key motivating factor for Taiwan orthodontic patients group (6.76±2.54) but it was no significant difference from Thai patients group ( p >0.5)“ A long-term treatment” was the important factor affects to the patient motivation to receive in Thai patients group (6.20±2.52). No significant difference was found between both group (p> 0.5 ) In Taiwan patients group rated the high treatment cost was the most key factor affects to their decision (6.25±2.60).Significant difference was found between both group (<0.01). There were significant association between household income and Thais motivation (p<0.05) and the factors affecting motivation (p<0.01). Gender was significant association with Thais attitude toward treatment. Multiple variables were significant association between Taiwanese motivation (p<0.05) except religion and household income. There were significant association between age, gender, active treatment duration, marital status and their attitude toward treatment. Concerning the association between variables and the reasons or factor affecting their motivation. Age, household income and information resources were significant association with those factors (p<0.05).
< Conclusion>
The affecting factors toward treatment motivation for orthodontic patients between Thai and Taiwan patients’ group are significantly different and multiple. However, esthetic is always the important factor that motivated patients to seek orthodontic treatment. We need to further investigate the related research and factors.
