In their statement, (https://www.cqc.org.uk/news/stories/registration-requirements-providers-%E2%80%98direct-consumer%E2%80%99-orthodontic-treatment) the CQC are very clear, explaining, “We consider orthodontic treatments provided to patients following an intra oral scan or when a patient has taken impressions themselves to be regulated activity. This is in the same way that treatment planning and diagnosis associated with aligners is also regulated activity. Regulated activities are listed in Schedule 1 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. In this case, they come under the regulated activities of Treatment of disease, disorder or injury and Diagnostic and screening procedures.”
The statement goes on to say, “We can use our regulatory powers to prosecute such offences.” In a recent BOS members survey (April 2021), 82 per cent of members were ‘concerned about more patients seeking DIY orthodontics during and following the pandemic’. In fact, it has been a concern for BOS members for a number of years.
BOS director of external relations, Anjli Patel said, “This news from the CQC is very welcome. This is something that BOS have been calling for, for a long time. As we have highlighted before, this is a patient safety issue and we hope that this action will provide more certainty for those seeking orthodontic treatment. One of our primary concerns about DIY orthodontics is that many patients were said to be unaware of the identity of their supervising dentists. Today’s announcement will mean this is rectified.”
The BOS first duty of care is to patients – the charity’s ultimate beneficiaries are patients, and benefits to patients are provided through the advancement of knowledge, practice and standards. The Society advises that anyone seeking orthodontic treatment should speak to a dentist or orthodontist first.