The British Orthodontic Society has expressed its great concern for those patients who have been left abandoned following the announcement that Smile Direct Club has ceased trading in the UK – https://smiledirectclub.com/

As the demand for adult orthodontics has increased in recent years, so has the options for patients. In the current economic climate, there was always concern that people may put themselves at risk with ‘direct to consumer’ teeth straightening. The British Orthodontic Society suggests that Smile Direct Club patients that are anxious about their treatment to contact an orthodontist or dentist at the first opportunity to discuss their options. They can be assured of professional and sympathetic care as well as an understanding ear.

Patients who are considering orthodontic treatment should seek impartial advice at – https://www.dentalhealth.org/safe-smiles-seeing-a-dental-professional  where they can get advice about the safest and most effective way to have orthodontic treatment. The safest way for patients to straighten their teeth is to see a trained clinician at an in-person appointment who is qualified to assess the patient’s health.

Anjli Patel, BOS Director of External Relations, commented:

“As dental professionals, we have a duty of care to our patients following treatment for a minimum of 12 months as is right and proper. For a corporate entity to abdicate responsibility in this way is nothing short of scandalous.

The BOS calls on the regulatory bodies in the UK to ensure any company providing direct to consumer Orthodontics in the UK is subject to similarly rigorous standards of practice as UK based providers of Orthodontic care.”