Clinical assistant training in orthodontics--how effective is it?
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the quantity and the quality of orthodontic treatment carried out by dentists who have completed a 2-year orthodontic clinical assistant training programme.


METHODS
Retrospective analysis.


METHODS
During a 12-month period the volume of orthodontic treatments completed by 18 dentists who had participated in a clinical assistant training scheme was analysed. Using study models the initial need for treatment and the outcome of treatment of a consecutive sample of each dentist's completed cases were assessed.


METHODS
IOTN and PAR indices used by expert examiners.


RESULTS
The median number of cases treated by the dentists was 37 with a range of 2 to 488. No significant predictive variables were associated with the higher volume operators. Of the 166 orthodontic cases evaluated 72.9% had a definite dental health need for orthodontic treatment. Following treatment the mean post-treatment PAR score for the whole sample was 9.2 (median = 8.0). Thirteen (72%) of the dentists had an average post-treatment PAR score of 10 or less.


CONCLUSIONS
The outcomes achieved by the Northern Irish clinical assistants were similar to those reported for other clinical assistant schemes. A significant proportion of the dentists treated a relatively low volume of patients and two of the dentists treated a very high volume of cases.
Stratford
N M
NM
Orthodontic Department, Waveney Hospital, Ballymena.
Burden
D J
DJ
D002983:Clinical Competence; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D005792:General Practice, Dental / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D003765:Models, Dental; D009967:Orthodontic Appliances; D009968:Orthodontic Appliances, Removable; D009970:Orthodontics / Q000193:education*; D009971:Orthodontics, Corrective / Q000592:standards; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome