Strategies for the proper use of orthopedic appliances in children

Abstract

Background: the failure in orthopedic appliance treatments is due to the children's misuse of the appliances, they are not aware of the importance of using them permanently and the long-term damage caused by this cause, as well as the lack of commitment on the part of parents or guardians to motivate them to the proper use of them. Objective: Design methodological strategies that facilitate understanding and importance of the proper use of orthopedic devices in children. Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study, population 64 children with orthopedic appliances between 7 and 13 years of age attended in the University Dental Clinic, whose parents accepted the participation of their children in the research by signing the informed consent. Two surveys were applied at different times, the first allowed a sociodemographic characterization, the second was applied after socializing the methodological strategies designed (primer, games, video game), to evaluate the scope of these. Results: the interactive application, educational booklet and activities were designed where children were made aware of the importance and benefits of using orthopedic devices permanently. Conclusions: the socialization of the designed strategies allowed 90% of the children to better understand the function of the devices and the importance of using them permanently. In addition, with the completion of this project a social function was fulfilled.