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The Indian Orthodontic Society (IOS) has submitted a complaint about direct-to-consumer (D2C) clear aligner therapy to the Dental Council of India.
Through its Smile Rally program, the IOS is taking its message to the public in an effort to discourage people from getting orthodontic treatment that is not being overseen by a licensed dentist or orthodontist.
Providers of direct-to-consumer clear aligner therapy are actively promoting their products to customers. According to the public notice, such a treatment is against India’s statutory laws and rules governing the provision of oral healthcare.
The council stated in the public notice that only registered dentists should perform tooth scanning, that only a registered dentist should deliver dental care in his or her clinic or hospital, and that such companies shouldn’t engage in aggressive marketing campaigns intended to persuade people to seek dental care.
“It is natural to get tempted by offers from companies and do-it-yourself orthodontics, but it is important to understand its potential risks and disadvantages.” Dr. Rajaganesh Gautam, the IOS executive committee member said, adding that “Movement of teeth with respect to jaws and joints is an extremely sensitive procedure and care should be taken to ensure the best possible results with minimal damage to enamel, roots, gums, bones, and joints.”
The president of IOS, Dr. Srikrishna Chalasani, says that a number of aligner firms had joined the Indian market, providing therapy directly to patients and omitting the need for dentists. Patients receive impression kits from firms along with video tutorials, instructions, and instructions on how to take dental impressions. An orthodontist builds a treatment plan using these impressions as a starting point.
Similar developments occurred in Europe last year, which culminated in a joint statement by the European Federation of Orthodontic Specialist Associations on the remote treatment of malocclusion. The joint statement by 31 dental and orthodontic associations in 25 countries stated that any treatment for malocclusion must be “exclusively conducted by a fully competent dentist,” must be “preceded by a complete clinical assessment,” and required “frequent clinical monitoring.”
Source : TheIndianEXPRESS
