27 February 2020

Today the BOS and the Oral Health Foundation jointly launch www.safebrace.org to help patients understand the treatment options that are available to them so they can make the right choice for them.

Both organisations provide patients with expert information that relates to their oral, orthodontic and overall health.

Professor Jonathan Sandler, BOS President, said: “In my professional opinion, if you embark on any orthodontic treatment without a suitably trained clinician taking the time to examine you and make appropriate recommendations, you could be in danger of having serious conditions missed, as well as inappropriate and dangerous treatment carried out.

"What other transforming dental or medical treatment would you undergo, without an in-person evaluation or supervision by a medical professional?

"For me, one of the issues with ‘DIY Braces’ is that it offers just one narrow solution when there may be a more appropriate one for the patient.  The value of informed choice cannot be over-estimated.”

Dr Nigel Carter OBE, Chief Executive of the Oral Health Foundation said: “We are seeing a growth in online companies offering orthodontic treatments at significantly reduced prices.

"For many patients, it will feel like a sensible consumer-savvy choice. But this may not be the case.

“My clinical view is that Orthodontics should always involve face-to-face contact with a trained clinical professional. This is to ensure patient safety and the most effective treatment.

“When carried out correctly, orthodontic treatment can give patients the straight and confident smile they have always dreamed about. We want to make sure that patients are given the very best advice about the safest and most effective way to have orthodontic treatment.”

Anybody practising dentistry while not registered with the General Dental Council could be subject to prosecution for illegal practice. Patients with concerns should report the matter to the General Dental Council and the Care Quality Commission.