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Role of the general dental practitioner in managing the risks of orthodontic treatment

British Dental Journal volume 231, pages 682–688 (2021)Cite this article

Abstract

The aim of this article is to outline the potential risks in orthodontic treatment and the general dental practitioner's role in reducing and managing such risks. The success of orthodontic treatment largely depends on patient understanding of the risk/benefit implications of the orthodontic treatment and all of the potential consequences involved in such treatment. A perfect blend of good case selection, sound clinical judgement and, more importantly, a patient's clear understanding of the potential risks involved and the treatment implications help minimise and manage potential hazards that occur during the course of the treatment.

Key points

  • Outlines the role of the GDP in assessing and managing the risks of orthodontic patients.

  • The GDP in liaison with the orthodontist plays an active role in successful orthodontic treatment outcomes.

  • Active involvement of the GDP in liaison with the orthodontist in mitigating risks during different phases of orthodontic treatment.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Associate Dentist, West Park Dental Practice, Crownhill Rd, Higher St Budeaux, Plymouth, PL5 2QT, UK

    Prashanth Narayanan

  2. Honorary Senior Lecturer, School of Dentistry, Coupland 3 Building, University of Manchester, Higher Cambridge Street, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK

    Badri Thiruvenkatachari

  3. Consultant Orthodontist, Maxillofacial Unit William Harvey Hospital, East Kent University Foundation NHS Trust, Kennington Rd, Willesborough, Ashford, TN24 0LZ, UK; Professor in Orthodontics, Sree Balaji Dental College and Hospital, Bharath Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, 600100, India

    Andrew T. DiBiase

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  3. Andrew T. DiBiase
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Contributions

Prashanth Narayanan: prepared initial draft, writing and editing of the manuscript; Badri Thiruvenkatachari: conceived the idea, prepared initial draft and final editing of the manuscript; Andrew Dibiase: writing and editing of the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Andrew T. DiBiase.

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The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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Narayanan, P., Thiruvenkatachari, B. & DiBiase, A. Role of the general dental practitioner in managing the risks of orthodontic treatment. Br Dent J 231, 682–688 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-021-3713-5

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