Orthodontic Treatment Standard in Specialist and Non-specialist practices in Latvia

Andra Liepa, Ilga Urtane

Summary

Orthodontic treatment in Latvia has been provided both by specialists and non-specialists. Because of the diversity in the provision of orthodontic care, a reasonable question in whether there is an identifiable correlation between specialist and non-specialist treatment standard. The aim of this study was to assess initial malocclusion severity and occlusal outcome in specialist and non-specialist settings using the Index of Complexity, Outcome and Need (ICON). Samples used in this study for group 1 – treated in non-specialist practice were collected from dental practice in Liepāja ( n = 26) and for group 2 – treated in specialist practice – from the Orthodontic Clinic of Institute of Stomatology (n=30).

There were no statistically significant differences in treatment need between cases treated in specialist clinic and non-specialist practice. However there was difference in treatment outcome scores between both groups – 25,6 in group 1 and 18,9 in group 2 (p = 0,02). Considering complexity and acceptability of treated cases, there were no statistically significant differences. The only difference was in improvement category. In group 2 out of 30 cases 14 were considered as greatly improved compared to group 1 where only 3 cases out of 26 were greatly improved.

Key words: orthodontic treatment, treatment indices.

Address correspondence to Dr. A.Liepa: Department of Orthodontics, Institute of Stomatology, Riga Stradins University, 20 Dzirciema str., Riga, Latvia

Received: 12 04 2003

Accepted for publishing: 27 06 2003