As the video mentions, mixing different types of braces can be appropriate, although choices should come through specialist advice.
Orthodontic care can be obtained from general dentists, some proprietary providers offer short training courses for them to learn about their option. A possible downside is that you are supplied that option, rather than the optimum for your case.
This is not a new situation and we do not wish to decry colleagues, or suggest they would offer treatment without your needs in mind. Patients should still have a right to make their own decisions on the support they want.
Looking at the opinions of bodies who represent them may be useful, where they are responsible for commissioning, or assessing orthodontic treatment.
A Professional View
A research document entitled Pathways To Orthodontic Care became well known in 1997. Reporting that orthdontic care was not always based on objective need and that protocols should be in place for patients to be referred to a suitable provider.
In 1994, The General Dental Council had already established better training in orthodontics. This followed a detailed study known as The Calman Report and input provided by the UK’s Chief Dental Officer.
Their curriculum and rationale were updated in 2008, to bring greater focus on outcome based judgement and competency. A decision made on the basis of public protection and a need to cope with increasing treatment complexity.
Public Health England have a requirement to carry out orthodontic needs assessments and came to similar conclusions. Stating that treatment should be evidence based and comply with contemporary standards.
They recommend that even where budgets are limited, flexibility should exist to recognise high quality performance. Best practice is seen as critical and for children on the NHS,
they envisage specialist practitioners will offer most care.
The British Orthodontic Society adds to the ethos in their guiding principles. That if treatment has to be rationed, then the objective should be for specialists to select those children who will benefit most from treatment.
Almost all bodies created to support public health take a similar stance. To ensure best quality care, commissioners should consider holding contracts with providers who are on the orthodontic specialist list.
As you can see, this debate has been going on for a number of years and unqualified choices remain, even though the value of dedicated care has been recognised.
The Specialist Difference
Rather than a few weeks training on selected options, orthodontists have undergone at least 3 years specialist training. Their ongoing work is focused on one field, a wide range of issues will have been seen and solved.
There has even been research into the life work balance of orthodontists, because they are such a dedicated profession. They change smiles but also change lives and are aware of the benefits this brings.
Success as in most fields, is based on complete understanding, in a medical and technical sense. A myriad of aspects can affect the outcome of orthodontic treatment, well beyond simple knowledge on one type of braces.
Our take is less complex, we hope you will visit our our orthodontists and wherever you live, or whoever you choose, once in a lifetime treatment deserves specialist care.
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