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ORTHODONTIC SCREENING AND REFERRAL PRACTICES OF DENTAL THERAPISTS IN
KUCHING, SARAWAK – A PILOT STUDY
NMRR-19-2664-50409

Tsai MH, Nawi N

Objectives: To investigate the orthodontic screening and referral practices of the dental
therapists and to measure perceived need for supplementary education by the dental
therapists in Kuching. Materials and Methods: A self-administered questionnaire was
distributed to 78 dental therapists who involved in School Dental Service (SDS) in Kuching.
The questionnaires comprise of socio-demographic characteristics, orthodontic screening
and referral practices and further orthodontic resources. Results: A total of 69 dental
therapists completed the questionnaire, giving a response rate of 88.5%. The majority
(98.6%, N = 68) cited orthodontics as an important treatment priority. A high percentage
(79.7%, N = 55) agreed that the general dental practitioners and dental therapists should
be jointly undertaking the orthodontic screening process. Most dental therapists (75.4%, N
= 52) confident in assessing cases that were suitable for orthodontic referral with almost
all (98.6%, N = 68) perceived that continuing professional development (CPD) courses in
orthodontics would be beneficial in orthodontic referral. Almost all (95.7%, N = 66) were in
favour of a standardised national guideline for orthodontic screening. Conclusions: There
was a perceived need for CPD courses in orthodontics and the dental therapists were
receptive to the idea of standardised guidelines for orthodontic screening.

Keywords: orthodontics, orthodontic screening, orthodontic referral, dental therapists, dental
nurses, school dental service.

Published in International Journal of Public Health and Clinical Sciences (IJPHCS),2020;2(7):1-13
https://doi.org/10.32827/ijphcs.7.2.1
Dr Milton Tsai Hongli
Sarawak UTC Dental Clinic
Sarawak State Health Department
Ministry of Health Malaysia

Dr Nes Nawi
Orthodontic Unit
Petrajaya Dental Clinic
Sarawak State Health Department
Ministry of Health Malaysia

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