British Orthodontic Society issue statement following GDC fitness to practise case

Following a recent Fitness To Practise case the British Orthodontic Society (BOS) has issued a Statement which sets out to clarify its position on the issue of claims that may be made about orthodontic treatment.

The statement said:

As a professional society and charity, the BOS promotes the highest quality of patient care through the advancement of scientific research and education. The BOS’s first duty of care is to patients.

The BOS advocates that you proceed with caution and seek alternative advice, if you are told that a recommended orthodontic treatment or approach will do any of the following:

• Cause your child’s cheekbones to rise or their jaws to change significantly in position – such changes may occur naturally as part of a child’s development but the BOS is not aware of this being achieved as part of orthodontic treatment
• Cure or cause jaw joint problems – there is no evidence for this
• Improve speech – there is no evidence for this
• Improve breathing disorders – there is no evidence for this
• Improve your child’s intelligence –there is no evidence those patients with crooked teeth or sleep apnoea are less intelligent than others

There is no scientific evidence to suggest patients can change the shape of their face or improve their intelligence by chewing or holding teeth and the tongue in a closed position or indeed making any kind of facial movements.

The BOS funds research into orthodontics and is always willing to consider alternative views provided these are backed by scientific evidence. The Society welcomes independent thinkers and innovation in orthodontics but all views must be supported by clinical evidence of the highest quality.

If ever in doubt, patients should seek a second opinion.

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