Orthodontics is not a short-term course: Indian Orthodontic Society
Bengaluru: Next time if you want braces for a severe skeletal problem, look for an orthodontist and not just a dentist or BDS passout claiming to have learned the specialty in a short-term course.
The Bengaluru Chapter of the Indian Orthodontic Society warns the people against quacks. It says that dentistry students too should be aware and not fall prey to short-term courses being offered in orthodontics. Such courses are now becoming another money-making practice for quacks. “Orthodontics is a specialty in dentistry which can be pursued only after the completion of BDS. The MDS course takes three years," explained Dr Raghunandan Chunduri, Professor in Orthodontics at the Oxford Dental College.
Dr Chunduri, who is also an executive member of the Indian Orthodontic Society, says that there has been a spurt in short-term courses, but they do not equip a dentist to practice orthodontics.
“A lot of people are conducting weekend courses and all they do is show you a presentation and ask you to treat patients. But without clinical experience, such a practice can lead to a lot of quackery. In fact, the Dental Council of India (DCI) clearly mentions it as a long-term procedure which needs to be done by a qualified surgeon," stressed Dr Silju Mathew, Professor and HoD, Faculty of Dentistry, Ramaiah University.
One of the reasons for the common man to fall prey to such quacks is also lack of awareness about the subject. “People generally associate teeth problems and ailments to dentists and are not aware of orthodontics as a specialty," he added.
“It deals with diagnosis, prevention and correction of malpositioned teeth and jaws. Orthodontists work on reconstructing the entire face rather than focusing only on the teeth. In fact, the public should be made aware at what age the child should be taken to the orthodontist for the first check up as the outcome of the treatment is better if it is started earlier," added Dr Chunduri.
Sadly, not much can be done by the Indian Orthodontics Society to curb dentists from offering orthodontist services. “The Indian Orthodontic Society is an advisory board. All that we can do is send a notice or circular asking them to not practise or probably suspend their membership with the society. The onus lies with the Dental Council of India," he said.
