Analysis of orthodontic treatment by pediatric dentists and general practitioners in Indiana

Abstract

Orthodontic treatment being provided by pediatric dentists and general practitioners in Indiana was investigated. A two page questionnaire constructed by the investigator was used to gather the data. The study sample consisted of 571 dentists. All 71 Indiana pediatric dentists primarily in private practice were surveyed. General practitioners (500) were chosen on the basis of age, year of graduation from dental school, geographic location and size of community in which they practiced. Seventy-eight percent of the questionnaires were returned; of this total, 93 percent of the pediatric dentists and 77 percent of the general practitioners responded. The study showed that currently in Indiana 62 percent of the pediatric dentists and 17.9 percent of the general practitioners surveyed provided comprehensive orthodontic treatment. These results are much higher than results of previous surveys of pediatric dentists and general practitioners. The study also found that pediatric dentists provide significantly more comprehensive orthodontic treatment and spend significantly more time providing orthodontic treatment than do general practitioners. Age of practitioner was found not to significantly affect the percentage of time spent providing orthodontic treatment, the orthodontic conditions treated or the type of appliances and techniques used. Population of the community in which the practice was located did have a significant effect. Practitioners in communities of over 100,000 provided significantly less comprehensive orthodontic treatment. Practitioners who practiced in communities of 5,000-25,000 spent significantly more time providing orthodontic services. Sixty-three percent of the practitioners surveyed had taken some type of continuing education course in orthodontics. An overwhelming majority of practitioners (over 90 percent) stated that their undergraduate orthodontic training in dental school inadequately prepared them for private practice. The majority of pediatric dentists (78 percent) also stated that their postgraduate education instruction in orthodontics was inadequate.