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

Marco Di Blasio, Benedetta Vaienti, Giuseppe Pedrazzi, Diana Cassi, Marisabel Magnifico, Sara Meneghello and Alberto Di Blasio
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Marco Di Blasio: University Center of Dentistry, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Via Gramsci 14, 43126 Parma, Italy
Benedetta Vaienti: University Center of Dentistry, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Via Gramsci 14, 43126 Parma, Italy
Giuseppe Pedrazzi: Unit of Neuroscience and Interdepartmental Center of Robust Statistics (Ro.S.A.), Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Via Gramsci 14, 43126 Parma, Italy
Diana Cassi: Department of Surgical, Medical, Dental and Morphological Science, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41124 Modena, Italy
Marisabel Magnifico: University Center of Dentistry, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Via Gramsci 14, 43126 Parma, Italy
Sara Meneghello: University Center of Dentistry, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Via Gramsci 14, 43126 Parma, Italy
Alberto Di Blasio: University Center of Dentistry, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Via Gramsci 14, 43126 Parma, Italy

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 10, 1-10

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.

Keywords: community dentistry; orthodontic diagnosis; delayed diagnoses; facial deformities (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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