Orthodontic practices in Australasia: practice activity.
OBJECTIVE
To collect baseline data on practice types and services provided by orthodontists in Australia and New Zealand.


METHODS
A total of 510 questionnaires was sent and 258 were returned. The response rate was 53 per cent.


RESULTS
The average age of respondents was 50 years (SD: 9.8 years) with female orthodontists being younger (Mean: 42.3 years; SD: 6.5). The ratio of responding female to male orthodontists was 1:8.8. Overall, more orthodontists were in solo private practice than associateships or partnerships. New Zealand orthodontists were more likely to be in associateships. Australian orthodontists had twice the number of practices (Mean: 2.4; SD: 1.4) than their New Zealand counterparts (Mean: 1.1; SD: 0.3). Orthodontists estimated they saw a mean of 21.3 (SD: 11.3) patients per day. Older orthodontists saw few patients in a day and spent fewer hours in any practice activity in a week. The mean waiting time for a consultation appointment in the private sector in New Zealand was nearly twice that in Australia. There was a significant association between male orthodontists and referral of patients by general dental practitioners. More than three quarters of respondents incorporated retention fees into the treatment fee. Overall, orthodontists were satisfied with the workload and did not want more orthodontists in their geographical area.


CONCLUSIONS
This study provides a sound basis for consideration of challenges in practice and changes over time.
Mathew
Rachael
R
Dental School, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Australia.
Sampson
Wayne J
WJ
Spencer
A John
AJ
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001071:Appointments and Schedules; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001315:Australia; D005250:Fees, Dental / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005792:General Practice, Dental / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand; D018704:Orthodontic Retainers / Q000191:economics; D009970:Orthodontics / Q000145:classification / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010318:Partnership Practice, Dental / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010361:Patients / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011331:Private Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011364:Professional Practice / Q000145:classification / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012737:Sex Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D016526:Workload