Orthodontic therapists--the first Bristol cohort

Area of Science:

• Dental education
• Orthodontic therapy training

Background:

• The UK is developing training programs for orthodontic therapists.
• The Bristol course represents a key initiative in this development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline the development of orthodontic therapist training in the UK.
• To document the experiences of the first cohort from the Bristol course.
• To explore the roles, responsibilities, and future manpower planning for orthodontic therapists.

Main Methods:

• Descriptive outline of training program development.
• Qualitative reporting of cohort experiences.
• Analysis of roles and responsibilities.
• Discussion of manpower planning implications.

Main Results:

• The Bristol course provided valuable insights into the initial training of orthodontic therapists.
• Defined roles and responsibilities for orthodontic therapists are emerging.
• Potential challenges for future orthodontic workforce planning have been identified.

Conclusions:

• The establishment of orthodontic therapist training is a significant step in UK dental education.
• The experiences of early cohorts are crucial for refining training and practice.
• Proactive manpower planning is essential to integrate orthodontic therapists effectively into the dental workforce.