Royal London Space Planning as a learning tool for postgraduate Orthodontic students. A mixed methods study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of the Royal London Space Planning (RLSP) as a learning tool among postgraduate orthodontic students as well as investigate students' attitudes to its use. The RLSP tool is a structured method of orthodontic case assessment and treatment planning. DESIGN: A prospective cohort study of first year postgraduate orthodontic students who attended teaching of the RLSP. SETTING: Postgraduate teaching institute. PARTICIPANTS: First year postgraduate orthodontic students. METHODS: The outcome measured was the accuracy in assessment and planning of a standardised orthodontic simulated case before and after teaching. Qualitative assessment was conducted through focus group and a semi-structured format after the teaching. RESULTS: Nineteen students were included in the study. There was an overall improvement in assessment and planning of 20% after the teaching intervention (P < 0.05). Assessment improved by 34% in comparison to treatment planning, which improved by 17% (P < 0.05). The impact of the RLSP was most noticeable on the assessment of crowding in the lower arch which improved by 37% after teaching (P < 0.05). Students felt using the RLSP tool made them more confident and was advantageous to use in training; most felt they would not use the tool after qualification. CONCLUSION: The RLSP tool is an effective method of teaching assessment and treatment planning to postgraduate orthodontic students. The effect of the RLSP is greater at assessments and less significant for treatment planning. The participant students felt the RLSP improved their confidence in assessment and treatment planning.

Prevalence and management of patients with hypodontia: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Hypodontia is one of the most common anomalies in dentistry. Hypodontia has a negative impact on oral health-related quality of life with patients best seen in a multidisciplinary clinic to improve treatment outcomes. AIM: To investigate the prevalence of hypodontia and its association with other dental anomalies, as well as malocclusion, and to investigate the treatment planned for patients attending the clinic and whether the type of missing teeth affected the proposed treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Analysis of consecutive patients attending the hypodontia clinic at a dental hospital between February and November 2020. A total of 100 patients who met the inclusion criteria were identified. Data collected included the following: age/sex; number and type of missing teeth; pre-treatment occlusion; presence of other dental anomalies; and planned treatment. RESULTS: A total of 100 patients (55% female; age range = 7-41 years; mean age = 18 years) were included. Of the cohort, 47% had a class I skeletal relationship and participants were significantly less likely to have a class III skeletal or incisor relationship; 45% had another dental anomaly with the most common being microdontia. Space opening was the preferred treatment option for those managed by orthodontic treatment with resin-bonded bridges most likely to be used for restoration of spaces, 86%. CONCLUSION: Lower second premolars were the most commonly missing teeth. Participants were significantly less likely to have a class III incisor or skeletal relationship than class I or II. Space opening was the favoured approach for orthodontic treatment, particularly for maxillary lateral incisors.