title: The effect of changes in primary attending doctor coverage frequency on orthodontic treatment time and results.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether changes in primary attending (PA) doctor coverage frequency caused an increase in orthodontic treatment time or a decrease in the quality of treatment results in a postgraduate orthodontic clinic. The effect of T1 Peer Assessment Rating (PAR) scores on PA doctor coverage frequency, treatment times, and results was also evaluated.
  
  
  METHODS
  A sample of 191 postorthodontic subjects was divided into three groups based on PA doctor coverage (high, medium, or low). Treatment times, treatment results, and other variables were compared between the three PA coverage groups. Additionally, the sample was divided into three groups based on T1 PAR scores. Attending coverage frequency, treatment times, and results were compared between the T1 PAR groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No statistically significant differences were found in treatment time (P  =  .128) or results (P  =  .052). There were no statistically significant differences in the mean scores for T1 PAR (P  =  .056), T2 PAR (P  =  .602), patient age at T1 (P  =  .747), total appointments (P  =  .128), missed appointments (P  =  .177), or cancelled appointments (P  =  .183). Statistically significant differences were found between the low T1 PAR group and the medium and high T1 PAR groups (attending coverage, P  =  .008; results, P < .001; treatment time, P  =  .001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Under the conditions of this study, variations in PA doctor coverage frequency did not lengthen orthodontic treatment or reduce the quality of treatment results. Low T1 PAR scores were associated with less PA coverage, less change in PAR, and shorter treatment times.
authors.affiliation: a  Private Practice, Flagstaff, Ariz.
authors.forename: Emily Caskey
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Peppers
authors.affiliation: b  Professor of Orthodontics, Department of Orthodontics, Loma Linda University School of Dentistry, Loma Linda, Calif.
authors.forename: V Leroy
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Leggitt
authors.affiliation: c  Associate Dean for Strategic Initiatives and Faculty Practice, Professor and Chairman, Department of Orthodontics, Loma Linda University School of Dentistry, Loma Linda, Calif.
authors.forename: Joseph M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Caruso
authors.affiliation: d  Associate Professor of Orthodontics, Loma Linda University School of Dentistry, Loma Linda, Calif.
authors.forename: Roland
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Neufeld
authors.affiliation: e  Maxillofacial and Dental Laboratory Manager, Maxillofacial and Dental Department, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Green
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D009970:Orthodontics; D010820:Physicians; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000078329:Workforce
keywords: Graduate clinic; Peer Assessment Ratings; Treatment results; Treatment time