The aim of this study was to assess parents' views of orthognathic treatment and compare them with the views of their son or daughter who underwent the treatment. Fifty patients who had undergone orthognathic treatment and one of their parents were recruited over an 8-month period between July 1999 and March 2000. The study was a retrospective, questionnaire-based study. Comparison of parents' and patients' views was undertaken using Cohen's kappa coefficient. This was also used to compare individual parent and patient views pre- and posttreatment. Response rates were 90% (n = 45) for patients and 80% (n = 40) for parents. Parents rated their son or daughter as having a more attractive facial and dental appearance and higher levels of self-confidence both pre- and posttreatment than the patients graded themselves. Parents and patients both felt there was significant improvement in facial and dental appearance and self-confidence following treatment.