Some thoughts on undergraduate orthodontic training viewed by a regional consultant

The emphasis in the undergraduate orthodontic curriculum should be on understanding the principles of removable appliance therapy. The student must be able to design and adjust these appliances and to realise their limitations. The effect of extractions with or without appliance therapy should be stressed. Some theoretical background is needed on the development of normal occlusion and its variations, and on diagnosis and treatment planning but the emphasis should be on the practical aspects of treatment. This means that the practitioner will then be in a position to treat the more simple cases to a consultant prescription. Obviously this knowledge can be expanded on short post-graduate courses for general practitioners and ideally with clinical attachment in a Regional orthodontic department for the most interested.