Female Orthodontists Research Articles

The effect of extraction and non-extraction orthodontic treatment on smile aesthetics in caucasian females

On trying to establish whether smile aesthetics differ between non-extraction and extraction subjects, when assessed by male and female orthodontists and lay people, agreement was found, with non-extraction smiles scoring more favourably. However, this difference could not be attributed to non-extraction treatment.

Are ratings of dentofacial attractiveness influenced by dentofacial midline discrepancies?

Abstract Aims To assess the attractiveness of dentofacial midline discrepancies during smiling, and to determine if the ratings were influenced by the gender of the judges. Methods Twenty non-dental undergraduate students (10 males, mean age: 33.5 years; 10 females, mean age: 31.2 years) and 20 orthodontists (10 males, mean age: 36.6 years; 10 females, mean age: 34.3 years) assessed frontal photographs of the same smiling adult female with coincident midlines, and images of the same person with the upper dental midline shifted 2 mm and 4 mm to the right and left of the facial midline. The judges scored the attractiveness of the smile using 5-point scale. Results Both the students and the orthodontists considered that the images were less attractive as the dentofacial midline discrepancy increased. More orthodontists than undergraduate students, and more female orthodontists than male orthodontists, considered a 4 mm discrepancy between the dental and facial midlines as unattractive. Conclusion Dental to facial midline discrepancies reduce dentofacial attractiveness. Discrepancies of 2 mm or more are likely to be noticed by both orthodontists and non-dental university students. Orthodontic treatment objectives should include correction of the dental midline discrepancies to within 2 mm of the facial midline.

Summary of: Changes in the gender and ethnic balance of the United Kingdom orthodontic workforce

Objective To describe the gender and ethnic trends of the United Kingdom orthodontic workforce. Design and setting A cross-sectional survey using a postal questionnaire to specialist orthodontic practitioners in the United Kingdom (2006-2007). Subjects All those on the Specialist List in Orthodontics held by the General Dental Council in October 2006. Materials and methods The data collected using the questionnaire included demographic details (gender, ethnicity, current age, place of birth), undergraduate and postgraduate dental schools attended, calendar years in which professional qualifications were achieved, anticipated year of retirement and geographical location of work place. Results The response rate was 81.5%. There are more male (60.2%) than female (39.8%) orthodontists presently working in the United Kingdom. Minority ethnic groups are better represented amongst the orthodontic workforce than they are in the general population, however their distribution throughout the United Kingdom is uneven. The trends in the results indicate that the gender and ethnic balance of the specialist orthodontic workforce has been changing and the proportion of females and those from non-white ethnic groups has increased. In contrast, the majority of those retiring over the next few years will be white males (60%). Conclusion This study suggests that there will be greater ethnic diversity and more female orthodontists in the future workforce. Consequently, working patterns should be kept under regular review so that an optimal orthodontic service can be maintained in the United Kingdom.

Changes in the gender and ethnic balance of the United Kingdom orthodontic workforce

To describe the gender and ethnic trends of the United Kingdom orthodontic workforce. A cross-sectional survey using a postal questionnaire to specialist orthodontic practitioners in the United Kingdom (2006-2007).Subjects All those on the Specialist List in Orthodontics held by the General Dental Council in October 2006. The data collected using the questionnaire included demographic details (gender, ethnicity, current age, place of birth), undergraduate and postgraduate dental schools attended, calendar years in which professional qualifications were achieved, anticipated year of retirement and geographical location of work place. The response rate was 81.5%. There are more male (60.2%) than female (39.8%) orthodontists presently working in the United Kingdom. Minority ethnic groups are better represented amongst the orthodontic workforce than they are in the general population, however their distribution throughout the United Kingdom is uneven. The trends in the results indicate that the gender and ethnic balance of the specialist orthodontic workforce has been changing and the proportion of females and those from non-white ethnic groups has increased. In contrast, the majority of those retiring over the next few years will be white males (60%). This study suggests that there will be greater ethnic diversity and more female orthodontists in the future workforce. Consequently, working patterns should be kept under regular review so that an optimal orthodontic service can be maintained in the United Kingdom.

Work-pattern differences between male and female orthodontists

Traditionally, most orthodontists have been men. In recent years, however, the number of women in dentistry and dental specialties, including orthodontics, has increased dramatically. Because practice patterns of male and female orthodontists might differ, they should be evaluated so that our schools can produce enough providers for the future. Questionnaires were mailed to 798 orthodontists; the response rate was 68.8%. Questions about practice behavior and productivity were designed to assess sex difference with respect to age, marital status, and number of children. Number of children appeared to be a good predictor of days worked per week and length of leaves of absence for female orthodontists. Solo practitioners dominate the field of orthodontics, irrespective of age or sex. Although women were less likely than men to be practice owners, only 20% of the women responding were not in an ownership position. Women were slightly more likely to be involved in a group practice, they worked in fewer offices than men, and they employed fewer full-time and part-time people. Female nonowners were more likely to take longer leaves of absence. Overall, women worked slightly fewer days per week and spent fewer hours per week in direct patient care. Annually, they devoted 25 fewer days to practice than men, but, when adjusted for leaves of absence, men and women worked similar numbers of weeks in 1999. Among orthodontists, work patterns of men and women differ somewhat, but these differences might not be as significant as other factors; more study is required.

Orthodontic practices in Australasia: practice activity

Abstract Objective: To collect baseline data on practice types and services provided by orthodontists in Australia and New Zealand. Method: A total of 510 questionnaires was sent and 258 were returned. The response rate was 53 per cent. Results: The average age of respondents was 50 years (SD: 9.8 years) with female orthodontists being younger (Mean: 42.3 years; SD: 6.5). The ratio of responding female to male orthodontists was 1:8.8. Overall, more orthodontists were in solo private practice than associateships or partnerships. New Zealand orthodontists were more likely to be in associateships. Australian orthodontists had twice the number of practices (Mean: 2.4; SD: 1.4) than their New Zealand counterparts (Mean: 1.1; SD: 0.3). Orthodontists estimated they saw a mean of 21.3 (SD: 11.3) patients per day. Older orthodontists saw few patients in a day and spent fewer hours in any practice activity in a week. The mean waiting time for a consultation appointment in the private sector in New Zealand was nearly twice that in Australia. There was a significant association between male orthodontists and referral of patients by general dental practitioners. More than three quarters of respondents incorporated retention fees into the treatment fee. Overall, orthodontists were satisfied with the workload and did not want more orthodontists in their geographical area. Conclusion: This study provides a sound basis for consideration of challenges in practice and changes over time.

Evaluation of the Dental Health Component, of the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need, by Swedish orthodontists

The aim of the present study was to evaluate if orthodontists in Sweden agree with the grading in the Dental Health Component (DHC) of the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need, to analyze if certain malocclusions are graded differently, and to determine if there are any background factors among Swedish orthodontists that could be related to their judgements. Two questionnaires were sent to 272 orthodontists in Sweden. In one questionnaire, they were asked to grade different malocclusions (defined in the DHC) according to the need for orthodontic treatment and in the other to provide details of their background. Eighty-one per cent (219) answered one or both questionnaires and 216 answered the questions concerning the need for orthodontic treatment. The Swedish orthodontists' judgements were then compared with the gradings in the DHC. Statistical analysis was undertaken using chi-square, likelihood ratio chi-square, phi coefficient, contingency coefficient, and Cramer's V tests. The result showed that almost all participating orthodontists agreed that grade 1 of the index indicated no need for treatment. For grade 2 (little need), the opinions differed, but still the majority were in agreement with the index. The judgements for malocclusions in grade 3 (borderline need) were widespread, but the majority considered 3a, 3c, and 3f to have a need or a great treatment need. The only statistical correlation with background factors was that female orthodontists graded 3f higher than borderline. For grades 4 and 5 (need and great need), the Swedish orthodontists thought that all the malocclusions required treatment except 4x, which the majority considered to be borderline. The participating Swedish orthodontists in this study graded fewer malocclusions in grade 3 and the majority were of the opinion that compared with the DHC, more malocclusions needed treatment.