Research abstract
British Dental Journal 195, 704 - 706 (2003)
Published online: 20 December 2003 | doi:10.1038/sj.bdj.4810833
Subject Categories: Dental business | Health economics | Orthodontics
The planning, contracting and monitoring of orthodontic services, and the use of the IOTN index: a survey of consultants in dental public health in the United Kingdom
C M de Oliveira1
This paper highlights the need:
- To improve the assessment of orthodontic treatment need
- To improve the IOTN index by reporting its shortcomings
- To stress the need for incorporation of a measure of oral health-related quality of life in the assessment of orthodontic treatment need
- To reduce inequalities in the provision of orthodontic treatment
Abstract
Objectives To establish which factors are used in planning, contracting and monitoring orthodontic services in the United Kingdom. In addition, the study investigated the value of the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN) as an instrument for planning orthodontic provision.
Methods A structured questionnaire was sent to all consultants in dental public health in the United Kingdom.
Results Over 80% of the respondents used the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN) as an instrument for planning, contracting and monitoring orthodontic services. Seventy per cent of these consultants regarded the IOTN index as a useful or very useful instrument. The main strength reported was that the IOTN index allows prioritisation (25.0%). The main weakness reported was that the index does not assess complexity (70.5%).
Conclusions Consultants in dental public health perceived the IOTN as a useful tool for planning orthodontic provision despite some shortcomings.
- Research Fellow, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, 3rd Floor, London WC1E 6BT
Correspondence to: C M de Oliveira1 e-mail: cmdeoliveira@blueyonder.co.uk
