The ABO discrepancy index: a measure of case complexity.
A criterion for determining the acceptability of a case presented for the American Board of Orthodontics (ABO) Phase III clinical examination is case difficulty. Case difficulty can often be subjective; however, it is related to case complexity, which can be quantifiable. Over the past 5 years, the ABO has developed and field-tested a discrepancy index, made up of various clinical entities that are measurable and have generally accepted norms. These entities summarize the clinical features of a patient's condition with a quantifiable, objective list of target disorders that represent the common elements of an orthodontic diagnosis: overjet, overbite, anterior open bite, lateral open bite, crowding, occlusion, lingual posterior crossbite, buccal posterior crossbite, ANB angle, IMPA, and SN-GoGn angle. The greater the number of these conditions in a patient, the greater the complexity and the greater the challenge to the orthodontist. The ABO is considering several options for applying the discrepancy index to the Phase III clinical examination.
Cangialosi
Thomas J
TJ
Columbia University School of Dentistry, 630 W. 168th Street, New York, NY 10032, USA. tjc1@columbia.edu
Riolo
Michael L
ML
Owens
S Ed
SE
Dykhouse
Vance J
VJ
Moffitt
Allen H
AH
Grubb
John E
JE
Greco
Peter M
PM
English
Jeryl D
JD
James
R Don
RD
D002508:Cephalometry; D003792:Dental Records / Q000145:classification; D006801:Humans; D007574:Jaw Relation Record; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis*; D024343:Open Bite / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis; D009970:Orthodontics / Q000592:standards; D013044:Specialty Boards; D014481:United States