CONSISTENCY OF PATIENT CLASSIFICATION IN ORTHODONTIC DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT PLANNING

The purpose of this study was to examine diagnosis and treatment plann ing categorizations used by experienced orthodontists. Thirty-nine cli nicians were asked to evaluate six lest cases and formulate a diagnosi s and treatment plan for each. The information provided was categorize d using a problem-oriented classification. The results indicate little agreement exists in diagnostic subcategories, such as molar relations hip, degree of crowding, or the nature of skeletal discrepancies. Ther e was also little agreement regarding some treatment strategies, such as extraction of teeth, the use of orthopedic appliances, or the use o f surgery. A need exists for better definitions of diagnostic criteria and appropriate treatment options.