Orthodontic treatment in general dental practice in South Africa

Abstract

There is an increased demand for orthodontic treatment in South Africa and the general practitioner is showing increasing interest in implementing orthodontic treatment in private practice. The present study investigated the scope of orthodontics undertaken by the private practitioner in South Africa, in order to study the desirability of more comprehensive undergraduate training in orthodontics and continuing education for general practitioners. A questionnaire was completed by 1,012 dental practitioners. The data were analysed statistically by means of the SAS software. The results indicated that general practitioners are engaged in a wider range of orthodontic treatment modalities. The competence of the general practitioner to treat the spectrum of dental malocclusions and the ability of continuing education courses to produce "instant general-practitioner orthodontists", remains a cause for concern. Curricular restructuring requires realistic surveying of sociodemographics, including changes in birthrate and the need and demand for orthodontics in the unique South African situation, if it is to be the goal of the profession to strive for the highest standards. The educational institutions in South Africa should give attention to realistic orthodontic curricular restructuring in view of the changing dental treatment patterns currently being experienced in this country.