The British Orthodontic Society has welcomed the recent article in regard to the dangers of permanent damage from clear braces ordered online that appeared on the BBC website – https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-58038752

This was then widely shared in the consumer media including The Times (https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/that-instagram-smile-from-remote-braces-may-not-last-warn-dentists-c5p2650st), Daily Mirror (https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/demand-instagram-smiles-causing-dental-29004496) BBC Radio 1 and LBC.

The article supported the position of the British Orthodontic Society (and 31 professional dental and orthodontic societies, associations, and institutions from 25 countries across Europe ¹) that any self-administered and remote treatment cannot be justified from a professional medical perspective and thus represents a serious violation of ethical, medical and dental standards.

Director of External Relations at the BOS, Dr Anjli Patel said, “We are delighted that the message is getting out to patients of the potential harm that can be caused by aligners if not assessed by a dentist in person. All dental treatment should be carried out by a suitably qualified clinician.  This means treatment will be as safe and effective as possible.

It is important that patients are able to distinguish between the delivery of patient care which is clinician led and follows GDC standards versus the delivery of aligners which is what most Direct to Consumer companies provide.”

As always, the British Orthodontic Society advises those who are considering orthodontic treatment to arrange a consultation with a dentist or orthodontist in order to minimise the risks associated with potential treatment.

¹https://www.bos.org.uk/Portals/0/Public/docs/NewsItems/EFOSA_On_the_remote_treatment_of_malocclusions_2021-10-28.pdf