Psychological complexes of individuals with malocclusion and the influence of orthodontic treatment amongst dental hygiene students

[Objective] This study aimed to examine the occurrence of inferiority complexes among dental hygiene students with malocclusion and the influence of orthodontic treatment on the presence of these complexes.<br> [Participants and Methods] The subjects were dental hygiene students at the Nippon Dental University College at Niigata, in the academic year 2022; we included 55 first-year, 50 second-year, and 55 third-year students; all subjects were female. A 10-item questionnaire with items scored on a 10-cm visual analog scale (VAS) was administered to the students. The response rate was 100%.<br> [Results and Discussion] There were no significant differences in the VAS scores among the students in the three years. The group that had completed orthodontic treatment (completed treatment group) had significantly lower scores for the questions on whether they were uncomfortable showing their teeth for photographs, whether they were concerned about their dentition, and whether they had any insecurities about their dentition or mouth than the group that had not received orthodontic treatment (complex group). The group that was undergoing orthodontic treatment (treatment group) had significantly higher scores than the completed treatment group for questions on whether they were concerned about their mouth when eating in public. The treatment group found it significantly more difficult to eat hard foods than the complex group.<br> [Conclusion] The level of dental knowledge did not seem to be related to the inferiority complex caused by malocclusion. In addition, we found that the inferiority complex persisted during orthodontic treatment, and the completion of orthodontic treatment was a trigger for the dissolution of the complex.