Orthodontic screening and referral practices of dental therapists in New Zealand
Data publikacji: 30 lip 2021
Zakres stron: 158 - 169
Otrzymano: 01 sty 2017
Przyjęty: 01 kwi 2017
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21307/aoj-2020-094
© 2017 Nadarren Lim et al., published by Sciendo
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Background
Timely referrals of appropriately screened cases are essential for the effective delivery of orthodontic treatment. Dental therapists are intimately involved with the orthodontic screening process in New Zealand, given that they are the primary oral health providers for child and adolescent patients.
Objectives
(1) To investigate New Zealand dental therapists’ orthodontic screening and referral practices; and, (2) to quantify the perceived need for supplementary orthodontic resources by New Zealand dental therapists.
Methods
An online questionnaire was distributed via email to 659 actively practising dental therapists in New Zealand. Participants answered questions related to their socio-demographic characteristics, orthodontic screening and referral practices, and further orthodontic education.
Results
All surveyed dental therapists viewed orthodontics as an important treatment priority. Most (64.6%, N = 148) agreed that the orthodontic screening process should be a joint undertaking between general dental practitioners and dental therapists. Most practitioners (63.3%, N = 145) had access to (and used) an orthodontic screening guideline. While almost all dental therapists (98.7%, N = 226) were confident in assessing cases that were suitable for orthodontic referral, 63.8% felt that they could gain from further education, and virtually all (99.6%, N = 228) believed that continuing professional development (CPD) courses in orthodontics would be beneficial. Over three-quarters were in favour of a standardised national guideline for orthodontic screening, while the remainder were either satisfied with their current guidelines (15.3%, N = 35) or believed that such guidelines were unnecessary (7.0%, N = 16). Several patterns were observed by therapist characteristics, particularly related to working sector (private or public) and length of professional experience.
Conclusions
There were differences in the orthodontic screening and referral practices of dental therapists in New Zealand. Dental therapists were receptive to the idea of standardised guidelines for orthodontic screening and there was a perceived need for CPD courses in orthodontics.