How to choose an orthodontist

I came across this blog from an American orthodontist on Twitter. A few years ago this would not have been relevant in the UK. You take your child to the dentist, the dentist says they need braces and refers your son or daughter to the local NHS orthodontist they have always referred to. You didn't think to question that there might be a different orthodontist you could choose to see and when the treatment is "free" why should you question it?

This is changing and in many cases parents are researching who might be best for their child. Why? Partly due to the NHS changes meaning that there are long waiting lists and children with milder problems will not get treated, meaning parents may need to pay for private treatment. But there is more to it than that, parents and children want to be involved in the decision making process and want to understand what will happen, and be treated as an individual, not just another patient in a busy day.

As a private only orthodontist I see patients who have chosen to visit me for a number of reasons. In many cases its because they do not qualify for NHS treatment but still want to get straighter teeth, or because they do not want to wait for a year or more. But I am seeing an increasing number of children and their parents who are visiting more than one practice before they select who they feel most comfortable with to do the treatment. Its not just about cost or whether extractions are involved, its about how they feel about entrusting the dental care of their son or daughter to the clinician. You probably only get a real feel for this by visiting the orthodontist.

I'd actually disagree with the article about "Word of Mouth". Of course if you are not a dental professional you cannot assess the quality of work that is done, but I do believe that if someone takes pride and care in looking after their patients then they will probably take pride in their clinical work. Its important to me that I get a great clinical result, but its just as important that my patients feel happy and comfortable visiting me. I get a real sense of pride when I know I have been recommended by a former or current patient.

So how do you choose an orthodontist? Research on the internet, ask your friends and ask your dentist. Weigh up the practical side like how easy the surgery is to get to and get parked, the costs and the payment plans available. Consider the type of treatment that has been recommended, whether extractions are involved and how long it might take. But overall its about how you felt when you went to the surgery, the customer service, the pleasantness of the surroundings and most of all if you got a sense of whether you can trust the orthodontist. If you're not comfortable-get a second opinion!