The Dental Council of Ireland has issued a stern warning to companies providing orthodontic devices directly to the public after the regulator received a number of reports.

The council was prompted to make the statement after it became aware of a number of manufacturers that are providing orthodontic appliances directly to members of the public outside of the dental surgery setting.

A spokesman for the Dental Council said: “Purchasing an appliance without an appropriate examination or ongoing dental support could compromise your treatment, and possibly your dental health. The Dental Council strongly recommends that patients considering purchasing an appliance directly from a manufacturer discuss their intentions first with their usual dentist to ensure that the planned treatment is appropriate.

“The Dental Council is aware that some of the manufacturers state that there are dentists involved at various stages of treatment. The Council would like to remind all registered dentists contracted to work for such manufacturers that you still owe the same duty of care to patients opting to have an appliance manufactured as you would to a patient attending your practice, and that you are still obliged to comply with the Dental Council’s Code of Practice regarding Professional Behaviour and Ethical Conduct.”

The council’s code of practice states that dentists must ensure that the patient has given full informed consent to the treatment, dentists maintain full and proper records and that dentists’
indemnity insurance covers them to provide remote dentistry.

Tags: advice, Dental Council, orthodontics