Changes in the complexity of orthodontic treatment for patients referred to a teaching hospital

The records of 200 orthodontic patients accepted for treatment by the Orthodontic Department of the Bristol Dental Hospital in 1977 were compared with 200 taken on in 1985 in order to determine whether there had been any change in the proportion of referred cases requiring more complex procedures. Within each sample, cases were categorized as follows: (a) suitable for removable appliance treatment by an undergraduate or general practitioner; (b) requiring simple one arch fixed appliance treatment such as might be attempted by a general practitioner after a period of further training; (c) needing specialist treatment such as full multibracketed fixed appliances or orthognathic surgery. It was found that there had been no change in the proportions of simple and complex cases referred during the 8-year period although the proportion of patients now receiving complex treatment had increased greatly. Possible explanations and implications are discussed.