Orthodontics in the general dental service of England and Wales: a critical assessment of standards.
Out of a sample of 1210 orthodontic patients treated within the General Dental Services in England and Wales, a high proportion showed no improvement. Upper and lower fixed appliances had the greatest influence on the outcome of treatment in terms of aesthetics, dental health need and standards. When treatment was analysed according to the appliance used, there were no statistically significant differences in the standard of treatment undertaken by specialist orthodontists and general dental practitioners. Methods for improving British orthodontic standards are considered.
Richmond
S
S
Department of Oral Health and Development, University Dental Hospital of Manchester.
Shaw
W C
WC
Stephens
C D
CD
Webb
W G
WG
Roberts
C T
CT
Andrews
M
M
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D004739:England; D004955:Esthetics, Dental; D005792:General Practice, Dental / Q000592:standards; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000145:classification / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D009967:Orthodontic Appliances / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009971:Orthodontics, Corrective / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D014852:Wales