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Dentists are not trained to do Orthodontics

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  • 20-05-2013 10:58pm
    #1
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭


    There has been a significant rise in recent years in general dental practitioners engaging in orthodontic 'aligner' treatments such as Invisalign, Clearstep, 6 Month Smiles etc. While some argue that this allows dentists to treat the simpler malocclusions, there is an important point which has to be made clear:

    General Dentists are not trained to do Orthodontics at Dental School

    As part of the B.Dent.Sc. degree, in common with other UK&Ireland,dental students are taught how to diagnose problems in their young patients who come for routine dental checks and know when to refer to a Specialist Orthodontist. They are in no-way taught about comprehensive treatment planning. Some dentists will argue that not all root canals or crowns need to be referred to a specialist, however general dentists are trained in these treatments.

    Patients should go a specialist orthodontist who has done higher specialist training. Sure you will pay the same amount of money anyway! Go to someone who knows what they are doing, not a general dentist who has done a weekend course.


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    #2
    helimachoptor
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 21,644 Mod ✭✭✭✭helimachoptor


    18 months and thats what you post :eek:


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    #3
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    Somebody had to say something on this forum. Patients need to be aware of untrained dentists providing orthodontics after doing a weekend or even a day course.


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    #4
    ballsymchugh
    Registered Users Posts: 7,936 ✭✭✭ballsymchugh


    under Dental Council regulations, all dentists the pass the final BDS exam in Cork and the B.Dent.Sc exam in Dublin are entitled to practice Orthodontics. if they are competent is another matter, but the fact is, they are trained.

    you will also notice that there has been a sharp decline in Clearstep treatment recently, since Andrew McCance's company went bust.


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    #5
    btkm8unsl0w5r4
    Closed Accounts Posts: 9,538 ✭✭✭btkm8unsl0w5r4


    General Dentist do not have any limits placed on their practice so long as it falls within the scope of "dentistry" as set out by the dental council. This includes orthodontic treatment. However specialist orthodontists will have more training to treat complex cases.

    I know a large number of general dentist that provide basic orthodontic services for their patients successfully. I know general dentist that have literally thousands of successful orthodontic cases. Also orthodontic treatment is becoming more streamlined with the more technical parts being made easier by indirect laboratory stages and new brackets and wires.

    Orthodontics is a registered speciality in this country, as such patient have access to a list of people with further advanced orthodontic training.

    Threads a bit inflammatory really.....


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    #6
    helimachoptor
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 21,644 Mod ✭✭✭✭helimachoptor


    Adam Small Bullfighting wrote: »
    Threads a bit inflammatory really.....

    Agreed, Muffins you need to make a good point instead of trolling the forum otherwise this thread will sent to the bin.


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    #7
    paulers06
    Registered Users Posts: 548 ✭✭✭paulers06


    I'm 2 months into my six month smile and am very happy. In saying that, my issues were only cosmetic and mild at that.

    I think you're being a bit unfair. I went to 3 dentists before deciding to get my braces and each one explained to me what could and couldn't be achieved.
    They may be more limited than traditional orthodontics but they serve a purpose and provide an alternative option for people like me who wouldn't be prepared to wear braces as an adult


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    #8
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    helimachoptor wrote: »
    Agreed, Muffins you need to make a good point instead of trolling the forum otherwise this thread will sent to the bin.

    Sir, I am a specialist orthodontist, not a troll. My comments are not inflammatory , they are merely stating what is indeed the case in recent years. I've seen many GDPs leaving patients with large overjets, obviously with an increased risk of relapse and poor long term stability.


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    #9
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    ballsymchugh wrote: »
    under Dental Council regulations, all dentists the pass the final BDS exam in Cork and the B.Dent.Sc exam in Dublin are entitled to practice Orthodontics. if they are competent is another matter, but the fact is, they are trained.

    you will also notice that there has been a sharp decline in Clearstep treatment recently, since Andrew McCance's company went bust.

    Ballysmchugh, dental are not trained in orthodontics as you state in your comment. They are given a taster of clinical orthodontics in dental school (1clinic per fortnight in the last two years) but their main job is to know when to refer to a specialist. If they are trained as you say, then they should be competent, however this is not the case.
    Clearstep has indeed gone into administration, but there are many companies who all do exactly the same thing around. Regards.


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    #10
    ballsymchugh
    Registered Users Posts: 7,936 ✭✭✭ballsymchugh


    Deleted User wrote: »
    Ballysmchugh, dental are not trained in orthodontics as you state in your comment. They are given a taster of clinical orthodontics in dental school (1clinic per fortnight in the last two years) but their main job is to know when to refer to a specialist. If they are trained as you say, then they should be competent, however this is not the case.
    Clearstep has indeed gone into administration, but there are many companies who all do exactly the same thing around. Regards.

    you may want to take that up with the dental council in fairness, it's their rules that allows GDPs undertake whatever treatment they deem necessary, as long as they are competent and their indemnity will cover it.

    i really think you should have a look through other threads in the forum. have a look at how day dreamer posts. he is also a specialist orthodontist, but doesn't come across so inflammatory or condescending.

    if patients are given all their options by the dentist treating them, and they are able to make an informed decision to where their treatment goes, and if that dentist is competent enough to treat them, then it's fine.
    if it's not, then that dentist will have their day in court.


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    #11
    btkm8unsl0w5r4
    Closed Accounts Posts: 9,538 ✭✭✭btkm8unsl0w5r4


    ballsymchugh wrote: »
    i really think you should have a look through other threads in the forum. have a look at how day dreamer posts. he is also a specialist orthodontist, but doesn't come across so inflammatory or condescending.
    .

    Indeed...


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    #12
    helimachoptor
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 21,644 Mod ✭✭✭✭helimachoptor


    Deleted User wrote: »
    Sir, I am a specialist orthodontist, not a troll. My comments are not inflammatory , they are merely stating what is indeed the case in recent years. I've seen many GDPs leaving patients with large overjets, obviously with an increased risk of relapse and poor long term stability.

    Perhaps however given the reaction to your post by all of the other professionals i would regard it as such.


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    #13
    res ipsa
    Registered Users Posts: 692 ✭✭✭res ipsa


    We might have to send you to Australia if you keep this up.


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    #14
    day dreamer
    Registered Users Posts: 599 ✭✭✭day dreamer


    Ballsy (and fitzgeme) I am touched, really touched by your sentiments

    Might have to get a bit more militant now


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    #15
    ballsymchugh
    Registered Users Posts: 7,936 ✭✭✭ballsymchugh


    day dreamer wrote: »
    Ballsy (and fitzgeme) I am touched, really touched by your sentiments

    Might have to get a bit more militant now

    go and shyte.


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    #16
    richardsiggers
    Registered Users Posts: 5 ✭richardsiggers


    I have a little experience in this area and can say that generally speaking a regular general dental practice will only undertake orthodontics on the front six teeth. Anything complex, or particularly involving the back teeth they will refer to a specialist orthodontist as you rightly suggest.

    Any good quality dentist will no the boundaries to which they can work out if the teeth are particularly crooked, the case is complex or there are bite problems (all of which are general dentist is trained to watch out for and notice) they will refer to a specialist orthodontist.

    It's only with the advent of modern technology and computer diagnostics that the regular dentist has been able to offer orthodontics, specialist orthodontist's can work very well alongside general dentists and should work to build a relationship with them so that they can take on the complex cases as mentioned above will stop


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    #17
    helimachoptor
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 21,644 Mod ✭✭✭✭helimachoptor


    no names allowed @ clarise


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    #18
    capnsparkles
    Registered Users Posts: 281 ✭✭capnsparkles


    Deleted User wrote: »
    There has been a significant rise in recent years in general dental practitioners engaging in orthodontic 'aligner' treatments such as Invisalign, Clearstep, 6 Month Smiles etc. While some argue that this allows dentists to treat the simpler malocclusions, there is an important point which has to be made clear:

    General Dentists are not trained to do Orthodontics at Dental School

    As part of the B.Dent.Sc. degree, in common with other UK&Ireland,dental students are taught how to diagnose problems in their young patients who come for routine dental checks and know when to refer to a Specialist Orthodontist. They are in no-way taught about comprehensive treatment planning. Some dentists will argue that not all root canals or crowns need to be referred to a specialist, however general dentists are trained in these treatments.

    Patients should go a specialist orthodontist who has done higher specialist training. Sure you will pay the same amount of money anyway! Go to someone who knows what they are doing, not a general dentist who has done a weekend course.

    I do short term orthodontics . I qualified over 20 years ago and was trained in fixed/fixed orthodontics. The understanding from our Supervisors was that we would be able to treat straight forward cases.
    I always ask my patients to get a specialist opinion prior to any treatment involving orthodontics , I also itemise the cost of the treatment that I am going to provide. Surprise surprise they get treatment with the specialist at a significant discount. I am delighted because I do particularly like orthodontics and my patients are getting a good deal.
    The comment that Dentists are not trained to do Orthodontics is a bit disingenuous .I cannot help but feel that as the recession hit a lot of people could not afford the cost of treatment. This impacted the specialist practices. That is the reason Specialist practices are quite , not because General Dentists are doing short term orthodontics.
    .


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