“Why do you want your child to have braces?” Investigating the motivations of Hispanic/Latino and white parents

•Four motivational profiles for Hispanic and white parents were identified.•Hispanic parents were more likely to be characterized by 1 of the 4 profiles.•Global themes capture the motives of most parents seeking treatment for children.

IntroductionMany psychological, social, and cultural factors influence parents’ motivation to seek orthodontic care for their children. In this study, we used Q methodology to identify and categorize shared motives and determine whether cultural differences exist between Hispanic/Latino (H/L) and non-Hispanic/Latino, white (W) parents.MethodsThe fundamental question posed to the parents was “Why do you want your child to have braces?” Q methodology involves 3 stages. (1) Interviews of H/L (n = 5) and W (n = 5) parents generated 35 statements that represented different motives to seek orthodontic care. (2) In the Q sort, 70 new parents (22 H/L, 48 W) ranked statements in order of relative importance using a forced distribution grid. (3) Factor analysis was performed separately for the H/L and W groups to uncover cultural differences.ResultsFour motivational profiles were described for both the H/L and W parents based on the significant factors identified in each group. More H/L parents (18 of 22 parents) than W parents (22 of 48 parents) were characterized by 1 of their group’s 4 profiles. Comparisons of the motivational profiles across the groups showed 4 global themes: well-timed treatment that prevents future dental problems, parental responsibility, perceived benefits, and perceived need instilled by the dentist.ConclusionsFour global themes captured the motives of most parents seeking orthodontic treatment for their children. Understanding these global themes can help clinicians frame their treatment discussions with parents.