Factors influencing dental practitioners’ decision to perform interceptive orthodontic treatment in public and private practice settings in the Tswane metropole, South Africa

IntroductionGeneral dentists are often reluctant to perform interceptive orthodontic treatment (IOT) in their practices. As IOT canbe of great benefit to some patients, the study aimed to explore the factors that influence the implementation of such treatment. MethodologyA sample of 24 general dental practitioners was selected. One-on-one interviews, guided by two questionnaires, were conducted with each of the participants at either their place of work or in a public location. They answered structured questions regarding the treatment plans for five paper patient scenarios to test their knowledge on interceptive orthodontics (IO). The knowledge scores were assessed according to whether the participants were in private or public practice and on a socioeconomic scale according to where they practiced. A second questionnaire focused on the patient confidence levels with respect to performing IOT as well as other practical issues that have a bearing on IOT