ACCESSIBILITY OF ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT AND PATIENTS’ SATISFACTION WITH ORTHODONTIC SERVICES IN ALYTUS COUNTY

Abstract

The Aim. The aim of this study was to assess the accessibility of orthodontic treatment and patient satisfaction with orthodontic services in Alytus County.
Methods. A cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted between June and October 2025 using an anonymous online questionnaire. A convenience sample of 284 residents of Alytus city and county was surveyed; respondents either required orthodontic treatment themselves or had children who required or had undergone orthodontic treatment. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS version 31.0, applying descriptive statistics, the chi-square (χ²) test, Mann–Whitney test, and two-proportion z-tests. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.
Results. The results indicated limited accessibility of orthodontic services in the region. More than half of respondents (58.8%) reported a limited choice of orthodontists, while 31.3% indicated no choice at all. The main reasons for not seeking orthodontic treatment were a shortage of specialists (66.2%) and high treatment costs (49.3%). Residents of Alytus County experienced statistically significantly longer travel distances to orthodontists compared to residents of Alytus city (p < 0.001). Most respondents received treatment in private healthcare institutions (71.2%), where satisfaction with treatment quality was significantly higher than in public institutions (p < 0.001). Additionally, 12.9% of respondents chose orthodontic treatment abroad (in Poland), mainly due to lower costs. Overall satisfaction with orthodontic treatment was rated as high by 47.6% and very high by 19.8% of respondents, with no significant differences based on place of residence.
Conclusions. Accessibility of orthodontic treatment in Alytus County is limited by a shortage of orthodontists as well as geographical and financial factors. Despite these barriers, most residents reported high satisfaction with the received treatment. Improving service accessibility requires increasing the availability of specialists in the region and reducing patients’ financial burden.