British Orthodontic Society launches new online resource to assist adults seeking orthodontic treatment
The British Orthodontic Society (BOS) launched a new online resource to assist the growing number of adults who are seeking orthodontic treatment.
Orthodontics for Adults: The Why, How, Where and Who is a unique online guide designed to be read before the patient sees a clinician. The BOS launched the guide in early May prior to the beginning of the UK’s National Smile Month.
Never before have there been so many different treatment choices for patients. The online guide is divided into four clear sections that cover all aspects of orthodontic decision making. Each section has key points that guide the patient toward getting the necessary information for making the right treatment choice.
A video featuring Prof. Timothy Newton, professor of psychology as applied to dentistry, complements the new guide. In the video, Prof. Newton offers advice on the questions the patient should ask the clinician.
Dr. Alison Murray, BOS president, spoke at the press launch for these new resources. “We welcome the growth and interest in orthodontic treatment, but we want to ensure that individuals are empowered to understand the choices they are making.
“There is extensive marketing of system-based treatments, and what’s happening is that people make up their mind about what they want before they get to see a dentist or orthodontist. They go into a practice and ask for a treatment which might not necessarily be in their best interests.”
She hopes the video and guide will help potential patients form realistic expectations of their treatment. “There is also an issue around unmet expectations. By virtue of their design, systems to deliver short-term results are likely to have limited objectives. Problems can occur when patients have high expectations of the outcome of a treatment. We really want the guide to adult orthodontics to give potential patients the full picture and to highlight that orthodontic treatment can be complex. Our aim is to provide information which will help adults wanting treatment to become more discriminating consumers.”
Dr. Guy Deeming, chairman of the BOS Orthodontic Specialist Group, and Dr. Liz Roberts, a member of the BOS Practitioner Group and the BOS Publications Committee, attended the press launch at the BOS headquarters in London. Dr. Allan Thom, WFO president and a member of the BOS, was in attendance as well.
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| Dr. Alison Murray (center), president of the British Orthodontic Society (BOS), announces the launch of the online guide Orthodontics for Adults: The Why, How, Where and Who at a May press conference at the BOS headquarters. With her are Dr. Liz Roberts, left, a member of the BOS Practitioner Group and the BOS Publications Committee, and Dr. Guy Deeming, right, chairman of the BOS Orthodontic Specialist Group. Members of the media and Dr. Allan Thom, president of the WFO, were in attendance. |