Whether knowingly or not, every dentist who treats children practices orthodontics. It is not enough to think of orthodontics as being solely concerned with appliances.
Orthodontics is the longitudinal care of the developing occlusion and any problems associated with it. All qualified dental practitioners should be encouraged to consider the orthodontic requirements of their patients.
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This booklet is designed to help general dental practitioners examine children from an orthodontic viewpoint.
It will highlight the assessment of patients at different stages of dental development and will outline the interceptive procedures and treatments available to deal with the conditions most commonly encountered.
Before specific assessment and treatments are considered, a general view of the developing dentition and face is advisable. This should rely on common sense as well as experience and ability.
Dentistry is a small profession and practitioners can sometimes become isolated. It is both professional and sociable for new practitioners to
introduce themselves to the orthodontic specialists in the local area and vice versa.
This will enable a discussion to take place on the services available and to clarify such points as the range of treatments available, costs and relevant waiting lists.
Many areas are developing Managed Clinical Networks (MCNs) locally to ensure good communication between all orthodontic providers and their referring practitioners.
With this information you should be able to refer patients to the appropriate specialist with some idea of what to expect. Communication is
enhanced if the practitioner and orthodontic specialist have been previously acquainted.
