Oral surgery demands of a regional orthodontic unit

The orthodontic records of patients attending a Regional Orthodontic Unit, and who were referred for specialised oral surgery procedures were examined. From January, 1995 to December, 1995, 22 patients were referred for treatment. The majority of these patients required exposure or extraction of unerupted maxillary canine teeth. Over 77% of patients requested this treatment through the Public Health Service resulting in long waiting lists developing for receipt of treatment.