Dental News - Orthodontists lack experience, not motivation, for treating patients with craniofacial anomalies

Dental Tribune USA

Wed. 5 December 2012

save

NEW YORK, N.Y., USA: Access to oral health care can be a challenge for people with cleft lip and palate. The greater complexity of treatment for these patients creates issues of time, cost, and scope of orthodontic practice. A study finds that while orthodontists have the motivation to treat this population, training and experience may be lacking.

The Cleft Palate–Craniofacial Journal recently presented results of a survey of orthodontic residents in the United States and Canada. They were asked if they planned to treat patients with cleft lip and palate, craniofacial anomalies and special needs such as Down syndrome, cerebral palsy and autism.

The survey was conducted online, and 208 residents responded. The 41-item survey asked residents about the importance of serving this group of patients, whether these residents planned to serve such patients in their future practices, and if they would charge higher than typical fees.

The added difficulties of orthodontic treatment for patients with cleft lip and palate and other special needs may cause private practices to limit such treatment. Hospitals and university centers are often where these patients seek treatment. This can limit access to oral health care for these patients, particularly those in rural areas and those who rely on Medicaid.

Nearly 55 percent of residents said they plan to treat patients with craniofacial anomalies and special needs. However, 58 percent responded that they would charge a higher fee. Among those who indicated they did not plan to treat these patients, the primary reasons given were inadequate experience and lack of access to an interdisciplinary team.

Nearly half of the residents surveyed were unaware of established fellowship programs focusing on cleft and craniofacial needs. About 29 percent indicated they would be willing to complete a one-year fellowship program. Many favored the creation of a subspecialty in orthodontics for treating patients with craniofacial anomalies.

While the motivation exists, the means are lacking to guide more orthodontic residents into confidently providing care for this special needs population. Professional organizations, academic institutions and government agencies could use the information provided by this study in strategic planning efforts to create greater access to care for patients with craniofacial anomalies.

The study, “Motivations of Orthodontic Residents in Canada and the United States to Treat Patients With Craniofacial Anomalies, Cleft Lip/Palate, and Special Needs,” was published in the Cleft Palate–Craniofacial Journal, the official publication of the American Cleft Palate–Craniofacial Association (ACPA).

(Source: Cleft Palate–Craniofacial Journal)

To post a reply please login or register

AAOMS seeks insurance coverage for congenital craniofacial anomalies

All private group and individual health insurance plans would be required to cover medically necessary services resulting from birth defects under ...

Redefining the patient experience with Primescan 2

Dr Yo-Han Choi is a dentist and co-owner of Canada Bay Dental in Sydney in Australia. In this interview with Dental Tribune International, he shares his ...

Redefining the patient experience with teledentistry

Oral health provider Advantage Dental recently exceeded its 2021 goal of shifting 5 percent of appointments to teledentistry encounters. For 2022, Advantage...

Educational offerings focus on treating patients with disabilities

MELVILLE, N.Y., USA: Henry Schein Dental has announced the 2021 schedule for its new webinar series, “Breaking Down Barriers to Care: Treating Patients ...

Enhance the experience for implant patients

The current economy has changed the way we look at revenue and profitability. Prior to the downturn, services like implants were experiencing tremendous ...

My Orthodontist mobile app for your patients

My Orthodontist mobile app is the latest addition to Dolphin’s line of mobile products. It is also Dolphin’s first product designed for the ...

Tooth positioning appliances: An orthodontist’s experience

I’ve been actively involved with early treatment ever since I first saw Jim McNamara in the early 1980s. Since that time, I’ve seen a lot of ...

Gentle dentistry: It’s not just for patients

When patients are looking to establish a dental home, what factors lead them to you and keep them with you? What prepares them for a great patient ...

Antibiotics not recommended prior to dental treatment for most patients with prosthetic joints

CHICAGO, Ill. USA: An updated ADA clinical practice guideline, last evaluated in 2012, finds that in general, for patients with prosthetic joint implants, ...