A service evaluation of patients requiring growth modification in a public service setting.

Abstract

Aim To conduct a service evaluation of patients who had functional appliance treatment to correct Class II malocclusions in a public orthodontic clinic. To evaluate the effect of prioritisation and earlier treatment of these patients on treatment duration and patient compliance. Methodology The prioritised treatment group (PTG) had twin block appliances fitted when they were 11 or 12 years old. In comparison, the routine treatment group (RTG) had twin block appliances fitted when they were 13 or 14. Electronic patient records were screened to find a sample of 100 patients from each cohort. The number of compliance issues, functional appliance treatment duration, fixed appliance treatment duration and total treatment duration was recorded retrospectively from patient charts. Results While mean total treatment time was similar across the two cohorts, the PTG did have significantly shorter fixed appliance treatment durations than the RTG. The PTG was also found to have better compliance than the RTG. Conclusion Prioritising patients who require functional appliance treatment does not reduce total treatment duration. A correlation between earlier treatment, improved patient compliance, and a shorter course of fixed appliance therapy can be seen, which may prove clinically beneficial. Further research in this area would be valuable.