A questionnaire was sent to Bristol and Guy's Dental Graduates who had been qualified for between 3 and 5 years. This showed that three-quarters of those who were currently in general dental practice had treated six or more orthodontic patients since qualification. A fifth claimed to have treated more than 45. An important factor in determining whether a practitioner carries out orthodontic treatment himself, or refers Patients to a specialist, is the confidence he has in his own ability to adjust and monitor orthodontic appliances. The convenience of alternative orthodontic services would appear to have no influence in such decisions.
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