New Safe Dentistry Initiative Launched
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- Published: Friday, 17 September 2021 07:42
- Written by Chris Tapper
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Yesterday saw the launch of a new campaign aimed at championing the benefits of safe dentistry.
The British Orthodontic Society and Oral Health Foundation announced the new joint initiative at a press conference held at the BOS annual conference in Manchester.
The public awareness campaign, named Safe Smiles, will highlight the benefits of safe dentistry and treatment when carried out in dental practices by trained and registered professionals.
The campaign is a response to mounting concerns about the rapid growth of direct-to-consumer (DTC) orthodontics in the UK.
To help raise awareness, a special toolkit has been created to help dental professionals support the campaign and share the importance of safe dentistry, available at www.dentalhealth.org/safesmiles.
Many dental professionals have expressed alarm that consumers have been prescribed treatment without having been directly examined by a dentist or orthodontist before being prescribed a course of treatment.
A particular worry is that often, no periodontal examination is carried out, or checks performed on mobility. Alarm has also been raised since many patients are prescribed treatment before knowing who their treating clinician is.
Patients may be scanned at facilities located in shopping units. Sometimes the scans are taken by DCP’s, and not dentists. Alternatively, clients are provided with the equipment in order to take ‘DIY’ impressions at home.
A press statement from BOS and OHF said that data has shown around one in six adults (16%) are considering orthodontic treatment over the next year, while 35% are thinking about getting their teeth whitened.
In May, the General Dental Council finally issued a long-awaited statement giving its view on DTC orthodontics.
The GDC said “Clinical judgements about the suitability of a proposed course of orthodontic treatment must be based on a full assessment of the patient’s oral health.”
“At present, there is no effective substitute for a physical, clinical examination as the foundation for that assessment.”
The BDA said in May “Newly published guidance for patients on the risks of direct-to-patient orthodontics is no substitute for meaningful regulation.”
Meanwhile, although BOS welcomed the fact that the GDC had responded to concerns, Director of External Relations Anjli Patel said “As the voice of orthodontics in the UK, we still have reservations about how any wrongdoing by DIY orthodontic companies could be picked up by authorities and we don’t want patients falling through regulatory cracks.”
“Patients don’t know what they don’t know – we will endeavour to give them all the facts.”
BOS and OHF say “Safe Smiles is a dental sector response to concerns about the growth of direct-to-consumer alternatives, with the campaign’s two organisers worried about patients performing treatments at home – potentially putting themselves in danger.”
“Further findings from The British Orthodontic Society suggest that adults have become more conscious of their smile during lockdown. Over half of orthodontists (60%) say they have seen a larger than expected demand for treatment during the pandemic. It is suspected those affected could be looking for solutions to treat dental problems and improve the appearance of their smile.”
OHF President Dr Ben Atkins said at the launch “As a profession, dentists and orthodontists have made dentistry (look) too simple, in the eyes of the patient.”
“As a result, we have a big remit to educate patients on why dentistry means to be safe. Over the past 24 months we’ve done a very good job and we need to celebrate how we have made practice safe.”
“We need to educate patients on how to get an amazing smile in a safe way, that protects them and also inform them of the dangers there are in dentistry. Dentistry is very complex.”
Dr Anshu Sood, Director of Clinical Practice at BOS added “Over the past year one of the effects of the ‘Zoom society’ we’ve been living in is that more orthodontists around the country have seen an increase in patient’s desires to have teeth straightened.”
“This has increased considerably. It’s so important that patients are seeking treatment that is safe and is healthy and poses less risk.”
Dr Sood said that some patients have approached BOS members with concerns about the progression of their treatment and not being able to speak to someone clinical, about their treatment.
“These concerns have been raised by us to the GDC.”
She emphasised that it’s important that choices are informed and well-made.
Dr Sood also said that guidelines stipulate that patients should have a direct clinical examination, x-rays and baseline records in the form of photographs or study models.
“Basic assessments are not being done.”
“The purpose of this campaign is to educate patients around understanding the risks posed by not seeking a direct clinical examination.”
“Embarking on treatment without seeing a suitably trained clinician could result in serious conditions being missed or dangerous treatment carried out. We want to ensure patients have the very best advice about the safest and most effective way to have treatment. We know that, when carried out correctly, orthodontic treatment can have a positive and life-changing impact.”
Dr Sood told GDPUK that the BOS is in the process of speaking to the GDC and is compiling information for the regulator on the DTC orthodontic situation.
In July, the Care Quality Commission said that assessment by scanning of patients for DTC orthodontic appliances in shopping centres, fell under diagnositic and screening procedures, one of the listed ‘regulated activities’ in the Health and Social Care Act overseen by the CQC.
The BOS is not aware if any facilities have been registered yet, with the CQC.
The press statement said “The new campaign is being supported by Align Technology and has gathered support from across the dental world. The campaign has already received endorsement from the British Dental Industry Association, British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, British Dental Bleaching Society, British Society of Dental Hygiene and Therapy, British Association of Dental Nurses, and British Association of Dental Therapists.”
Dr Nigel Carter, Chief Executive of the Oral Health Foundation is worried the potential decline in oral health status may lead to poor consumer choices, with many favouring shortcuts and attracted by direct-to-consumer alternatives.
Dr Carter wrote “We are really concerned by evidence suggesting the UK’s oral health habits have declined during the pandemic. Symptoms associated with dental disease – mainly pain and changes in visual appearance – are leading patients to seek quick and cheap home cosmetic treatments advertised online. This is a great cause for concern and one of the key driving forces behind Safe Smiles.
“Dental treatment of any kind must involve face-to-face contact with a trained clinical professional inside the dental practice. This is to ensure patient safety and the most effective treatment. It is important that the profession continues to champion safe dentistry and advise patients against direct-to-consumer treatments and alternatives shared on social media.
“When carried out correctly, cosmetic dental treatment can give patients the white, straight and confident smile they have always dreamed about. Safe Smiles will make sure patients are given the very best advice about the safest and most effective way to have dental treatment.”
Zaki Kanaan Chairman, British Dental Bleaching Society wrote “There is no doubt that one of the most common cosmetic dental procedures that is carried out routinely in dental practices is tooth whitening.”
“Done properly, by a dental care professional, tooth whitening is one of the least invasive ways to improve one’s smile. This popularity has led to the growth of direct-to-consumer options that often get around the legality by using non-peroxide based products that not only have little to no efficacy in whitening one’s teeth but many OTC products are in fact harmful to teeth and their surrounding structures.”
“Members of the public seeking OTC products are leaving themselves open to harm with virtually no recourse when things go wrong. Over many years at The British Dental Bleaching Society we have been striving to highlight to the public this exact issue and we therefore fully support The Safe Smiles Campaign.”
During the conference, Dr Nikki Atack was welcomed as the BOS’s incoming president.
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