Psychosocial Impacts of Malocclusion among Adolescents in Kedah, Malaysia: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Dental malocclusion can affect the psychological and social aspects of adolescents. However, the knowledge of this condition has been limited in the Malaysian population. This study aims to explore the psychosocial impacts of dental malocclusion among adolescents in Kedah state, Malaysia. A qualitative study was conducted at two public specialized dental clinics. Focus group discussion (FGD) and in-depth interview (IDI) were conducted among adolescents aged between 11 and 19 years, who received orthodontic treatment for moderate to severe dental malocclusion. All the FGD and IDI sessions were video-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and translated into English. The thematic analysis method was used for the data analysis. A total of 32 adolescents participated in six sessions of FGD and five sessions of IDI. Four themes emerged from the data analysis: (i) pressure to seek treatment, (ii) negative feelings about one’s dentofacial image, (iii) negative influences on interpersonal relationship, and (iv) negative impacts on school performance. The findings indicate that adolescents with dental malocclusion had been receiving pressure from different parties and generally had low self-esteem, which eventually affected their relationship with family and friends and their involvement in school activities. Therefore, public education and interdisciplinary collaboration to address their psychosocial needs are required.