The study aimed to reflect on adolescents' speeches regarding their justifications for non-adherence to dental treatment. This is a qualitative research derived from a quantitative research aimed at adolescents from 15 to 19 years of public schools belonging to the area of 34 Primary Health Units - Family Health, in Piracicaba, SP, in 2012. The adolescents were evaluated, diagnosed and referred for dental treatment. One year after this intervention and with non-adherence to treatment, we used a qualitative method to deeply understand this phenomenon. We conducted 25 interviews with a semi-structured script, divided into three blocks: adopted or did not adopt actions recommended; arguments justifying the non-adherence of recommended actions; dimensions related to oral health importance. We adopted the thematic analysis and non-adherence was related to some aspects and grouped in: no priority; priority and change of priority. We concluded that the main reasons for non-adherence are related to different priorities, and orthodontic brace was a potent stimulator of interest and establishment of priorities in oral health care among adolescents.