Assessment of relationship between different communication methods and treatment compliance in orthodontic patients during Covid-19 pandemics

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to minimize impairment in oral hygiene and failure of brackets; therefore, effects of pandemic on treatment duration, by communicating our patients using 4 different methods during Covid-19 pandemic. 
 
 Methods: In the study, 227 patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment were included. Five groups were designed: WhatsApp group, short message service (SMS) group, Teledentistry group, e-mail group and control group. During quarantine period, patients were contacted for 4 times and same text was sent to patients. After pandemics, the patients were assessed using mucogingival index (MGI), orthodontic plaque index (OPI) and failure of brackets was determined.
 
 Results: In MGI, percentage of patients with healthy result were as follows: WhatsApp group, 83.7%; SMS group, 87.8%; Teledentistry group, 83.7%; E-mail group, 77.5%; control group, 72.2% and no significant difference was found (p>0.05). The OPI scores were as follows: 1.12±1.24 in WhatsApp group; 1.27±1.28 in SMS group; 1.24±1.38 in Teledentistry group; 1.00±1.22 in E-mail group; and 1.61±1.25 in the control group and no significant difference was found (p>0.05). The mean number of brackets broken was 0.47±0.88 in WhatsApp group, 0.39±0.83 in SMS group, 0.51±1.00 in Teledentistry group, 0.40±0.67 in E-mail group and 0.44±0.86 in the control group and no significant difference was found (p>0.05).
 
 Conclusion: It was determined that communicating with patients in different ways did not make any difference in terms of the subjects investigated in the study. It was concluded that it would be more appropriate to conduct new studies including social and psychological evaluations.