A selection of abstracts of clinically relevant papers from other journals. The abstracts on this page have been chosen and edited by John R. Radford.
Abstract
Those who are bullied have an increased orthodontic need.
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Seehra J, Padhraig S et al. J Orthod 2011; 38: 247–256
Is it an oversimplification to say that those with a less than ideal oro-dental appearance are bullied? After all, these victims may have 'low esteem, self-concept and a negative body image'. Could not these characteristics be at the heart of such abuse, with the sufferer hesitant to access services including orthodontic care? This cross-sectional study used data from adolescents referred for orthodontic assessment to three UK hospitals (only ca. 5% seen in one hospital). When compared to normative data, those who were bullied reported lower levels of 1) social competence, 2) athletic competence, 3) self-esteem, and 4) overall oral-health-related quality of life and Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (both components). Yet these observations should be balanced with findings from a 20-year longitudinal study that found 'no negative association between malocclusion and social or psychological well-being.'
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Bullying in orthodontic patients and its relationship to malocclusion, self-esteem and oral health-related quality of life. Br Dent J 212, 581 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.2012.538
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.2012.538