Necessary orthodontic treatment assessment of orphans

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The orthodontic treatment leads not only to functional normalization of the stomatognathic system but also to smile aesthetic changes, which helps to increase a persons self-esteem. Moreover, the level of neuropsychicological development revealed that approximately 6% of orphans are included in the group of healthy people following the coefficient of mental development, and 94% of pupils of the orphanage with sensory, motor, emotional, behavioral, and cognitive sphere retardation are in the risk and pathology group.
 AIM: This study aimed to assess the psychological status of children without parental care, based on the Picture of a Person test.
 MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study included 44 children from the orphanage aged 717 years to assess their psychological status using the Picture of a Person test.
 RESULTS: Difficult life circumstances lead to developmental peculiarities in children. However, the desire for social communication remains, the aesthetics of appearance are valued, and the desire to impress increases. This indicates the need to work not only on the psychological state of children without parental care but also to educate them on the right attitude toward health and beauty, to create opportunities for self-improvement with the help of various specialists (dentists, orthodontists, dermatologists, etc.), which will help increase self-esteem.
 CONCLUSION: The study demonstrates the need for children without parental care in social communication. Great importance is attached to the aesthetics of the face and teeth. Dentists can contribute to the successful adaptation of orphaned children in society, paying attention to the treatment not only to the health of the dental system but also to the beauty of a smile. Orthodontic treatment can help in educating orphans with the qualities necessary for their socialization.