Orthodontic therapists - has their introduction affected outcomes?

Area of Science:

• Dental Science
• Orthodontics
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• The role of orthodontic therapists (OTs) in clinical practice is evolving.
• Evaluating the impact of OTs on treatment quality is crucial for healthcare systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the effect of introducing orthodontic therapists (OTs) on orthodontic treatment outcomes.
• To compare treatment quality before and after the integration of OTs in specialist practices.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective cross-sectional observational study at two UK specialist orthodontic practices.
• Evaluation of treatment outcomes (PAR index, treatment time, appointments) for 30 patients per clinician at two time points (before and after OT introduction).
• Patients at T2 received care planned by a specialist orthodontist and delivered by both the orthodontist and a qualified OT.

Main Results:

• No significant change was observed in the quantitative Peer Assessment Rating (PAR) index between the two time points.
• Analysis of treatment duration and appointment numbers also indicated no substantial difference post-OT introduction.

Conclusions:

• The introduction of supervised orthodontic therapists has not demonstrably altered the quality of orthodontic treatment outcomes in the evaluated specialist practices.
• Further research may be needed to explore optimal models for OT integration and their long-term impact.