Abstract: Who does refer patients for an orthodontic consultation? Which are the main reasons for the referral? Does the visit of the orthodontic specialist confirm these reasons or reveal undiagnosed problems? Is there the risk that only evident dental problems are addressed, while craniofacial malformations remain underdiagnosed? This cross-sectional epidemiologic study aims to answer these questions, analysing the clinical data collected during the orthodontic visits of 500 Caucasian young patients referred to a public health structure of northern Italy. All patients were visited by the same expert specialist in orthodontics. Clinical data were collected, analysing both dental and skeletal features. The reasons for the referral of the visit were analysed and compared with the specialistic diagnoses. In our sample, dentists, relatives/friends and paediatricians were the major source of the referrals, followed by family doctors and other facial specialists. In most cases, the reasons for the referral were dental irregularities, but approximately 80% of dental irregularities were associated with undiagnosed facial dysmorphism. Skeletal facial anomalies need an early diagnosis to prevent the development of severe facial malformations that would require invasive and expensive treatments. These findings reveal poor diagnostic skills regarding skeletal anomalies in dentists and paediatricians and the need for better specific training.

Are the Reasons Why Patients Are Referred for an Orthodontic Visit Correct? / Di Blasio, Marco; Vaienti, Benedetta; Pedrazzi, Giuseppe; Cassi, Diana; Magnifico, Marisabel; Meneghello, Sara; Di Blasio, Alberto. - In: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH. - ISSN 1660-4601. - 18:10(2021), pp. 1-10. [10.3390/ijerph18105201]

Are the Reasons Why Patients Are Referred for an Orthodontic Visit Correct?

Di Blasio, Marco
;
Vaienti, Benedetta
Membro del Collaboration Group
;
Pedrazzi, Giuseppe
Data Curation
;
Cassi, Diana
Membro del Collaboration Group
;
Magnifico, Marisabel
Membro del Collaboration Group
;
Di Blasio, Alberto
Methodology
2021-01-01

Abstract

Abstract: Who does refer patients for an orthodontic consultation? Which are the main reasons for the referral? Does the visit of the orthodontic specialist confirm these reasons or reveal undiagnosed problems? Is there the risk that only evident dental problems are addressed, while craniofacial malformations remain underdiagnosed? This cross-sectional epidemiologic study aims to answer these questions, analysing the clinical data collected during the orthodontic visits of 500 Caucasian young patients referred to a public health structure of northern Italy. All patients were visited by the same expert specialist in orthodontics. Clinical data were collected, analysing both dental and skeletal features. The reasons for the referral of the visit were analysed and compared with the specialistic diagnoses. In our sample, dentists, relatives/friends and paediatricians were the major source of the referrals, followed by family doctors and other facial specialists. In most cases, the reasons for the referral were dental irregularities, but approximately 80% of dental irregularities were associated with undiagnosed facial dysmorphism. Skeletal facial anomalies need an early diagnosis to prevent the development of severe facial malformations that would require invasive and expensive treatments. These findings reveal poor diagnostic skills regarding skeletal anomalies in dentists and paediatricians and the need for better specific training.
2021
Are the Reasons Why Patients Are Referred for an Orthodontic Visit Correct? / Di Blasio, Marco; Vaienti, Benedetta; Pedrazzi, Giuseppe; Cassi, Diana; Magnifico, Marisabel; Meneghello, Sara; Di Blasio, Alberto. - In: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH. - ISSN 1660-4601. - 18:10(2021), pp. 1-10. [10.3390/ijerph18105201]
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11381/2920153
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