Presentations 2020: Ortho&Paeds

389 - Audit of the fixed appliance treatment time in secondary care,

C HENEIN, A LIEPA
Presented by: Claudy Henein
Cardiff Dental Hospital

Introduction Fixed appliances have the potential to cause enamel demineralisation, caries, periodontal disease and root resorption. The longer the treatment, the higher the potential risks may be. Prolonged treatment can impact patient satisfaction and reduce capacity for new patients. AIMS To investigate the status of treatment duration of patients with fixed appliances and the possible reasons for prolonged treatment times, so that protocols that improve treatment duration can be implemented. METHODS Orthodontics in secondary care has a higher proportion of complex cases and so the standard set was 80% of cases should not be in treatment for more than 24 months. This is based on the maximum estimated time suggested by British Orthodontic Society. Part 1: Prospective data collection on all patients receiving fixed orthodontic treatment. Part 2: Identify cases in treatment for more than 24months and investigate the possible causes by reviewing patient notes. RESULTS Part 1 (n=396): The mean duration time of cases still in fixed appliance treatment was 17.74±14.49months. 63% cases were in treatment between 0-12months, 21% between 13-24months, 7% between 25-36months, 6% between 37-48months and 3% greater than 49months. Of the cases that are longer than 24months, 73.4% were expected to complete treatment within 6months, 25% between 7-12months and 1.6% between 13-18months. PART 2: 71.9% of those in treatment after 24months were complex cases. Orthognathic being the highest case type (37.5%), followed by ectopic teeth (12.5%) and hypodontia (7.8%). 241 missed or cancelled appointments were recorded and 195 unscheduled casual appointments. The average number of different operators for these cases was 2.4. CONCLUSION 84% of patients had fixed appliances for 24months or less which is above the set standard. None of the variables measured had a strong correlation with the length of treatment. Yet, their added effect may contribute to the extension of treatment times.
Consent Statement: There are no details on individual patients reported within the abstract.

Poster