Primum non nocere

Today (2 March 2020), the Oral Health Foundation has teamed up with the British Orthodontic Society to launch the ‘Safe Brace Campaign’ to help protect the great British public against the onslaught of ‘Do It Yourself’ braces. This excellent website, SafeBrace.org, is the one to which all our patients should be directed for an informed view as to how they can stay safe when considering orthodontic options.

Advice is offered to all patients considering a course of orthodontics and information provided as to what they might expect from a course of treatment. A reasoned argument is put forward as to why it would be wise to have an appropriately qualified clinician fully assess their oral health prior to prescription of any appliances. This comprehensive examination could very well involve radiographs and, particularly in the case of Adult patients, BPE scores and 6 point periodontal charting. Clearly, a simple intra-oral scan or a bunch of selfies and a home-made impression are considered totally inappropriate as the sole method of examining ‘fitness for treatment’.