Tan Allan, Bennani Florence, Thomson W Murray, Farella Mauro, Mei Li
Aust Orthod J. 2016 Nov;32(2):155-164.
Appropriate screening and referral is important in delivering effective and timely orthodontic treatment. In New Zealand, dental therapists are usually the initial contact for oral health care (including the assessment of malocclusion) in child and adolescent patients.
To investigate the orthodontic screening and referral practices of dental therapists in New Zealand.
Ten registered dental therapists from Auckland and Dunedin were interviewed using a semi-structured approach. Participants were selected based on years of work experience, where they practised, their educational background, and their sector of work (private/public). Resu/ts: Three main themes were identified: (I) the orthodontic screening and referral process; (2) the factors affecting orthodontic referral; and (3) their attitudes towards orthodontic treatment. Orthodontic screening and referrals were uniform among public dental therapists but varied for private dental therapists with regard to the type of malocclusions referred, the frequency of the referrals and to whom they referred. Factors that affected orthodontic referrals included participants' orthodontic educational background, work experience, Continuing Professional Development courses attended, and the opinions of orthodontists and/ or dentists. Dental therapists found that most patients were receptive to the idea of orthodontic treatment, but that cost was a major concern. Dental therapists were enthusiastic about the development and use of resources that could aid in the orthodontic screening and referral process. Conc/usions: This study has provided valuable insights into the current orthodontic referral process of New Zealand dental therapists. Variations among public and private therapists were identified. The implementation of an orthodontic referral guideline was viewed favourably by dental therapists.
适当的筛查和转诊对于提供有效且及时的正畸治疗非常重要。在新西兰，牙科治疗师通常是儿童和青少年患者口腔保健（包括错颌畸形评估）的最初接触者。
调查新西兰牙科治疗师的正畸筛查和转诊做法。
采用半结构化方法对来自奥克兰和但尼丁的10名注册牙科治疗师进行了访谈。根据工作年限、执业地点、教育背景和工作部门（私立/公立）选择参与者。结果：确定了三个主要主题：（1）正畸筛查和转诊过程；（2）影响正畸转诊的因素；（3）他们对正畸治疗的态度。公立牙科治疗师的正畸筛查和转诊是统一的，但私立牙科治疗师在转诊的错颌畸形类型、转诊频率以及转诊对象方面存在差异。影响正畸转诊的因素包括参与者的正畸教育背景、工作经验、参加的持续专业发展课程以及正畸医生和/或牙医的意见。牙科治疗师发现大多数患者接受正畸治疗的想法，但费用是一个主要担忧。牙科治疗师对有助于正畸筛查和转诊过程的资源的开发和使用充满热情。结论：本研究为新西兰牙科治疗师当前的正畸转诊过程提供了有价值的见解。确定了公立和私立治疗师之间的差异。牙科治疗师对实施正畸转诊指南持积极态度。
