Orthodontic awareness of the parents whose children suffer from cleft palate and are treated at orthodontic clinics--preliminary communication
Stasik, J.
Wiadomosci Lekarskie 55 Suppl. 1: 466-469
2002
ISSN/ISBN: 0043-5147 PMID: 15002286 Document Number: 550747
Cleft palate or lip constitutes circa 65% of congenital developmental anomalies in facial skeleton. This defect requires a long, complicated and team treatment, which calls for the parents' sufficient knowledge and awareness. We checked what opinions and knowledge concerning the treated defect of their children the parents have. The children were treated in the Orthodontic Clinic in Zabrze. The survey was conducted in 230 families. Beside answering the typical demographic questions the people were asked to describe the type of defect, give the reasons for its appearance and its influence on the child's life. In all cases the parents correctly defined the type of defect. Most of their knowledge came from conversations/consultations with doctors, only a small percentage gained knowledge from other sources (books, brochures, etc.). When analysing the parents' answers one can notice that there's little knowledge concerning the cause of the cleft. Whereas they seem to have more knowledge regarding the treatment, complications and the child's functioning within the society. The fact that the people directly affected by this problem have such a small knowledge of the causes of cleft indicates a need for broader education. It seems that a possible preventive educational action concerning the factors increasing the risk of cleft occurrence, the possibilities to eliminate the danger and necessity of treatment should concentrate on small towns and villages.