Do pediatric dentists practice the orthodontics they are taught?

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to determine whether the orthodontic treatment provided by pediatric dentists reflects the orthodontic training received in pediatric dental residency programs. METHODS Five questions from a survey of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) diplomates in August 2002 and a survey of pediatric dental residency program directors in June 2002 were statistically analyzed to compare the orthodontic treatment provided by diplomates to that provided within pediatric dental residency programs. RESULTS Patient populations differed financially between pediatric dental residencies and diplomates of the AAPD. Residents treated significantly more public assistance patients. The residents were more likely than diplomates to use most orthodontic appliances and treat most stages of dental development and most conditions/malocclusions with orthodontics. Diplomates anticipated a decrease in the amount of orthodontic treatment provided in the next 5 years, while program directors anticipated an increase. CONCLUSIONS The majority of the orthodontic treatment provided by pediatric dental residents and diplomates was similar, although the residents were exposed to more diverse orthodontic treatment modalities than those used by diplomates. The residencies were also more likely than the diplomates to increase the amount of orthodontic treatment provided in the next 5 years.