BOS

Teenager wins ‘Against the Odds’ award for the orthodontic treatment that transformed the course of her life

Lottie Simmonds. 16yrs, from Caterham has won an ‘Against the Odds’ award for the orthodontic treatment which transformed the course of her life. Lottie entered the competition to celebrate her orthodontist Dr Georgina Cartwright Croydon Orthodontic Practice.

Lottie knocked out her front tooth with a sing along High School Musical microphone when she was 6yrs.   Before she could start orthodontic treatment, her life dramatically changed when she was diagnosed with Leukaemia at just 9yrs old.  Lottie endured over two years of gruelling chemotherapy.

Lottie has been through a lot with her previous medical history and was nervous about starting treatment.   She credits her orthodontist Dr Georgina Cartwright with putting her at ease.  Reflecting back she says;

“I was very nervous about starting treatment and worried it would be painful. Georgina was so lovely to me.  She was caring and calming and made me feel comfortable throughout my treatment explaining every step of the way.”

Despite her nerves, Dr Cartwright says Lottie was a fantastic patient and motivated and keen to have the treatment. Dr Cartwright says: “We discussed the treatment options at the start of the process and Lottie knew that she didn’t want to wear functional appliance. In some ways this made the treatment quicker and more straightforward as Lottie was happy to move straight to upper premolar extractions and fixed appliances.”

Talking about the impact of the treatment, Dr Cartwright says: “Lottie has grown in confidence and now has a beautiful smile. She no longer covers her mouth as she did before. She was an absolute pleasure to treat.”

Lottie’s mother, Zoe, was by her side throughout the process. Speaking about the experience she said: “Lottie had been through so much during the three years prior to starting treatment. I knew she was very worried and nervous to start her orthodontic treatment as she was still suffering with the long term side effects of her chemo and she wasn’t sure how much more pain and discomfort she could endure.  Georgina and her team at the practice were lovely and reassuring which was just what Lottie needed.”

Dr Cartwright has worked at Croydon Orthodontic Practice for 12 years and has won this award twice, in 2016 and in 2023.  She’s also come runner up twice in 2015 and 2019. Georgina attributes this to the range of wonderful patients she sees on a daily basis. Croydon Orthodontic Practice is a family run practice owned by principal Tim McDonogh established by his father Pat McDonogh in 1972.

Richard Jones, Chair of the BOS Orthodontic Specialists Group, said: “Orthodontics isn’t just about straightening teeth, it’s about making people feel better about themselves. The Against the Odds competition continues to highlight the very best of our profession and the tremendous value that orthodontics has on people’s lives.  A confident smile can change a person’s perception of themselves, their self-esteem and their self-image.”

Against the Odds 2024 is now open for entries – the deadline is 29 February 2024 – https://www.bos.org.uk/patients/against-the-odds

Patients encouraged to showcase the transformative power of braces by nominating their orthodontist.

New BOS stats reveal online working triggers a rise in adults seeking tooth straightening treatment

  • Over three quarters (76%) of orthodontists in a new survey report an increase in adult patients seeking orthodontic treatment within the past three years.
  • The rise of online working/socialising and video calls is having an impact with over half of orthodontists (65%) saying this is a factor for seeking treatment. In addition over a third (38%) say their adult patients are influenced by influencers and celebrities.
  • The majority of adult patients (83%) are in the 26 to 55 age bracket.  

As the demand for adult orthodontics increases, so do the options for patients.  This new survey also reveals the cost of living is having an impact on patients seeking treatment.  There is concern that people may put themselves in danger with ‘direct to the consumer’ teeth straightening – also known as ‘DIY braces’.A staggering 88% of orthodontists surveyed are concerned that more patients will be seeking ‘DIY’ treatment options as a result of the pandemic and move to digital communication and commoditisation of healthcare.

People seeking orthodontic treatement are advised to visit a trained clinician ensuring that they have the various options open to them explained, in person, so they can make an informed decision. 

The Safe Smiles Campaign – https://www.dentalhealth.org/safe-smiles-seeing-a-dental-professional  is a trusted space where patients can get advice about the safest and most effective way to have orthodontic treatment.

Anjli Patel, BOS Director of External Relations, commented: “It is great to see the number of adults interested in orthodontics remains high and we want to ensure patients are given the very best advice about orthodontic treatment.  Our members, specialists and dentists with a special interest, offer a range of options for adults, enabling them to provide a solution to any kind of orthodontic problem.”

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from BOS. The survey was carried out online in April 2023. The BOS membership is open to dentists and orthodontists. Members of BOS work in a variety of settings, from hospital to high street practice, from academia to community clinics.

Paul McKenna at British Orthodontic Conference 2023

The British Orthodontic Society is delighted to be welcoming Paul McKenna to BOC2023 on Thursday 28th September to deliver his keynote address. Paul McKenna, Ph.D., is the world’s most successful hypnotist. Famous for his TV shows and celebrity appearances, Paul hopes to deliver a mesmerising experience to reduce stress and anxiety, tackle mental health, increase self-confidence and create a positive mindset.

We currently live in a time of unprecedented challenges, uncertainty, overwhelming stress, loss of hope at times and a need for mental strength and adaptability to a new way of life. During this event, delegates will learn about discovering their own natural, most powerful resources for self-care, self-belief and taking control of their life.

During this session on positivity, delegates will learn how to:

  • Take control of their thoughts and feelings now
  • Have a calm, healthy, confident mind
  • Adapt to problems and challenges
  • Create a compelling future
  • Become powerfully motivated

Paul is just one of a world class line-up of speakers at the QEII Conference Centre in Westminster, between 28th – 30th September. Other hugely respected speakers from the UK and around the world include Sebastian Baumgaertel, Simon Graf, Rishma Shah, Flavia Artese and James Andrews, Linda Greenwall, Jason Smithson, Andrew DiBiase and Ama Johal.

Trevor Hodge, Chair of the British Orthodontic Conference Committee said, “I’m looking forward to bringing the conference back to London and we cannot wait to welcome everyone.”

To find out more, view the full programme and book, please visit https://www.bos.org.uk/boc2023/

British Orthodontic Society joins forces with Premier League

The British Orthodontic Society is delighted to be collaborating with the Premier League to empower school children across England and Wales to understand the benefits of good oral hygiene with a new Premier League Primary Stars education resource – Taking care of our teeth.

Developed in collaboration with Stoke City FC, the free resource, which includes worksheets and online activities to boost the dental health habits of children aged 7-11, will be available to every primary school in England and Wales. The resource encourages classroom-based discussions on the sugar levels in different food types, the effects that sugar can have on oral health and how to make healthy choices to keep teeth strong.

Premier League Head of Community and Football Policy, Nick Perchard said: “Premier League Primary Stars uses the power of football to encourage children to talk about a wide range of issues in the classroom, supporting them to make healthy, positive life choices. This new education resource, which includes full lesson plans and interactive content, is a great example of our ongoing work to support health and wellbeing.”

Dr Anjli Patel, Director of External Relations, British Orthodontic Society said: “The British Orthodontic Society is delighted to be collaborating with Premier League Primary Stars to make a positive difference to the lives of young people.  We hope to inspire the next generation to make healthier lifestyle choices such as being ‘sugar smart’. Initiatives such as this with Premier League Primary Stars mean we can create more awareness of the issues around good oral health.”

Premier League Primary Stars Taking care of our teeth builds on the success of Stoke City Community Trust’s award-winning Keep Stoke Smiling project, which has used the appeal of football to deliver diet and dental health messaging to 11,000 primary school children in Staffordshire.

Adrian Hurst, Head of Community at Stoke City Community Trust, said: Our “Keep Stoke Smiling project was hailed as a work of genius by the President of the British Orthodontic Society and we are absolutely delighted to be working with Premier League Primary Stars to make oral hygiene resources more widely available to other football club community organisations.” .

Dr Karen Juggins, Consultant Orthodontist said: “KeepBritainSmiling is delighted to be working with Premier League Primary Stars to engage with young people through the power of football, encouraging them to look after their teeth and show them the benefits of a great smile. We are revolutionising the way dental health education is delivered by harnessing the power of our collaboration.”

The free Taking care of our teeth resource can be downloaded by teachers from plprimarystars.com.

Registration opens for British Orthodontic Conference 2023 – Rules and Discovery

Registration is now open for the 2023 British Orthodontic Conference – do not miss the largest event in the UK dedicated to all dental professionals with an interest in orthodontics. This year’s theme is Rules and Discovery – the conference will be situated in the heart of Westminster, where rules have been made and broken for almost a thousand years.

At the QEII Conference Centre in Westminster, between 28th – 30th September, there is a line-up of hugely respected speakers from the UK and around the world including Paul McKenna, Sebastian Baumgaertel, Simon Graf, Rishma Shah, Flavia Artese and James Andrews, Linda Greenwall, Jason Smithson, Andrew DiBiase and Ama Johal.

The prestigious Northcroft Memorial Lecture will be delivered by Sebastian Baumgaertel on Orthodontic Miniscrews: Bridging the ‘Science-Practice Gap’. Sebastian will also be delivering a hands-on workshop on the same topic with a strictly limited number of spaces. Paul McKenna, PhD, the international best-selling author and hypnotherapist will be presenting to the conference which is sure to be a highlight.

We know that many of you particularly look forward to the BOC socials and in 2023 we have pulled out all the stops. The Gala is being held at the world renowned Science Museum – it is going to be epic. The QEII Conference Centre will be hosting the exclusive banquet with views towards the Houses of Parliament and this takes place just over the road from Westminster Abbey, site of the recent coronation.

Trevor Hodge, Chair of the British Orthodontic Conference Committee said, “I’m looking forward to bringing the conference back to London and we cannot wait to welcome everyone.”

To book, please visit https://www.bos.org.uk/boc2023/

An early bird discount is available for all bookings made before 30th June and a combined team rate is on offer too so that the whole team can come along, learn a lot and have fun.

BOS welcomes BBC coverage of permanent damage from clear braces ordered online

The British Orthodontic Society (BOS) has welcomed the recent article in regard to the dangers of permanent damage from clear braces ordered online that appeared on the BBC website – https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-58038752

This was then widely shared in the consumer media including The Times (https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/that-instagram-smile-from-remote-braces-may-not-last-warn-dentists-c5p2650st), Daily Mirror (https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/demand-instagram-smiles-causing-dental-29004496) BBC Radio 1 and LBC. 

The article supported the position of the British Orthodontic Society (and 31 professional dental and orthodontic societies, associations, and institutions from 25 countries across Europe ¹) that any self-administered and remote treatment cannot be justified from a professional medical perspective and thus represents a serious violation of ethical, medical and dental standards.

Director of External Relations at the BOS, Dr Anjli Patel said, “We are delighted that the message is getting out to patients of the potential harm that can be caused by aligners if not assessed by a dentist in person. All dental treatment should be carried out by a suitably qualified clinician.  This means treatment will be as safe and effective as possible.  

It is important that patients are able to distinguish between the delivery of patient care which is clinician led and follows GDC standards versus the delivery of aligners which is what most Direct to Consumer companies provide.”

As always, the British Orthodontic Society advises those who are considering orthodontic treatment to arrange a consultation with a dentist or orthodontist in order to minimise the risks associated with potential treatment. 

New fluoride varnish training launched by BOS

Orthodontic Therapists and Dental Nurses are being given the opportunity by the British Orthodontic Society (BOS) to gain an additional skill in fluoride varnish application by completing the brand new Fluoride Varnish teaching package that is available now on the BOS Virtual Learning Environment.

Director of Education at the BOS, Dr Sally Walker commented, “I am delighted that the education committee has been able to launch this initiative to provide training in application of fluoride varnish to patients undergoing fixed appliance treatment. Application of fluoride varnish is recognised by the GDC as an additional skill which can be developed by DCPs and completing this training package will provide dental nurses and orthodontic therapists with the skills required to be able to do this safely.”

To access the content for free at www.bosvle.org.uk, nurses and therapists need to be members of the Orthodontic National Group. This has a myriad of benefits and costs just £30 per year – https://orthodontic-ong.org/become-a-member/

BOS Conference: Dr Michael Mosley and the ‘Science behind the Smile’

On 16 September 2022, Dr Michael Mosley shared his personal and family experiences of orthodontics and the science behind the benefits of smiling at The British Orthodontic Society’s annual conference in Birmingham.

He highlighted research in The Journal of Experimental Psychology that revealed how even a fake smile can have a positive impact on mood by triggering certain facial muscles that ‘trick’ your brain into thinking you’re happy.  

Never before has there been such a strong desire for a smile that not only feels healthy but looks good as well.  Statistics from The British Orthodontic Society show that the demand for orthodontics continues to rise with 75% of orthodontists reporting an increase in patients. 

There is a growing concern about the number of quick dental solutions on the market. These are often found online and lead to people performing their own dental work at home.

Alongside the Oral Health Foundation, The British Orthodontic Society has launched Safe Smiles – a charity campaign by that gives unbiased, trusted and expert advice about dental treatments.

Nikki Atack, BOS President, said: “As the demand for orthodontics increases, so do the options available.  There’s a huge growth in online companies offering orthodontic treatments at significantly reduced prices. For many patients, it may feel like a sensible consumer-savvy choice. But this may not be the case.  We want to ensure patients are given the very best advice about the safest and most effective way to have orthodontic treatment.”

“All my family has benefited from orthodontic treatment, so I was delighted to speak at the British Orthodontic Society Conference this year,” said Dr Mosley. “A big smile that can light up the room will not only make you feel good but other people as well.”

British Orthodontic Conference 2022 – Most.Smile.Debate

Registration is now open for the 2022 British Orthodontic Conference – do not miss the largest event in the UK dedicated to dental professionals with an interest in orthodontics. This year’s theme is Most.Smile.Debate – inspired by the What.3.Words address of the ICC Birmingham. Indeed the inventor of what.3.words, Jack Waley-Cohen, will be addressing the conference about how the App came about.

At the ICC, between the 15th – 17th September, there will be a line-up of hugely respected speakers from the UK and around the world including Dr Michael Mosley, Sandra Tai, Lars Christensen, Björn Ludwig, Ewa Czochrowska and Pawel Placwicz.

David Spary will be delivering the prestigious Northcroft memorial lecture and on a wide-ranging programme there are also parallel sessions on Driving Private Practice and for those considering a career in orthodontics. There is also a well devised programme for both orthodontic therapists and nurses.

The BOC social programme always proves popular and the 2022 Gala is being held at the Birmingham Library – a venue with a difference. The beautiful Town Hall will be hosting the exclusive banquet and there will be plenty of opportunity for those wishing to see the sights and heritage of Britain’s second city. Indeed, if you haven’t been to the centre of Birmingham for some years, you may not recognise it. There has been significant investment ahead of hosting the Commonwealth Games in July.

Trevor Hodge, Chair of the British Orthodontic Conference Committee added, “I am delighted to welcome everyone to the city where I did my postgraduate training and of which I have a lot of fond memories. We have a pre-conference course on Autotransplantation, two parallel sessions, a fantastic programme for therapists and nurses as well as excellent social events for which the BOC has become famous. As in 2021, the conference will be hybrid so there is an option for those who cannot attend in person to still benefit from the excellent education on offer. I look forward to seeing you all.”

To book, please visit https://boc-birmingham-2022.reg.buzz/

An early bird discount is available for all bookings made before 30th June and a combined team rate is on offer too so that the whole team can come along, learn a lot and have fun.

BOS releases teledentistry guidance

The British Orthodontic Society (BOS) has released its guidance on teledentistry and remote interactions in orthodontic care. Further to statements from both the GDC and the CQC in 2021, the BOS have produced this guidance to help orthodontic providers and their teams better understand the scope of teledentistry services and technologies as part of orthodontic care, as well as the associated issues. In addition, it will direct teams to the current regulatory frameworks, resources and highlight best operational practice.

Teledentistry is a term which covers a range of technologies and operational practices. These include various communications via interactive, two-way audio or video as well as indirect, synchronous communications, in which a patient’s information (such as questions, requests, photographs, videos) is exchanged with a dental professional for review. This may be via messaging platforms or dedicated hardware and applications.

Teledentistry can enhance patient care, assist in achieving agreed treatment outcomes, and strengthen the relationship between clinician and patient. Potential benefits of integrating teledentistry technologies and procedures into orthodontic care include greater accessibility, better patient engagement and experience, reduced physical appointments – ideal from a COVID-19 perspective as well as reduced carbon footprint, and above all, increased treatment efficiency.

In accordance with the GDC Scope of Practice, all diagnostic and prescriptive decisions must be made by the treating orthodontist/dentist who have adequate training and skills. The direct involvement of an appropriately trained and registered orthodontist/dentist is essential for the monitoring of orthodontic care. Patients undergoing treatment must be made aware of the name of the clinician responsible for their care and be able to make direct contact with this clinician as well as be able to arrange appropriate face-to-face appointments when required. Patients should be informed that clear aligner treatment, even for cosmetic purposes, is not a simple process but is a medical procedure using a medical device. Treatment should only be undertaken with the direct guidance and ongoing supervision of a named orthodontist or suitably trained dentist.

The BOS still has significant concerns surrounding the appropriate examination, diagnosis and consent process for ‘DIY orthodontic’ systems as well as ongoing supervision and the nature of the relationship between patient and treating clinician.

BOS Director of External Relations, Anjli Patel commented, “If used responsibly, digital technologies and associated tools or applications have potential to improve professional care and enhance both patient outcomes and convenience, adding a potentially convenient way for clinicians to engage with current or prospective patients. It can enhance patient care, assist in achieving agreed treatment outcomes, and strengthen the relationship between clinician and patient. However, it should never be used to alter clinical practice in such a way that patient safety, valid consent or treatment planning and outcomes are compromised.”

View the guidance here.