Aim: The aim was to survey current orthodontic teaching practice in the undergraduate syllabus at British dental schools and to test the abilities of undergraduate students according to the requirements of the GDC regulations.
Materials and methods: Information collected by means of a questionnaire sent to each dental school in 1998 was compared with similar data from 1994. The orthodontic knowledge and treatment planning ability of students was assessed by a multiple-choice examination paper completed by a random 10% sample of students from each dental school.
Results: In 1998 on average 195 curriculum hours were devoted to orthodontics and each student treated five patients. The teaching of fixed appliances had increased considerably between 1994 and 1998. The average MCQ score was 58% (range 39-72%). Students scored well on questions that tested basic knowledge but much less well when they were required to apply that knowledge. Only three schools felt that it was realistic to expect undergraduates to formulate orthodontic treatment plans, as they are required to do by the GDC.
Conclusion: Results support the view that undergraduate orthodontic training should concentrate on diagnosis and recognition of problems rather than on providing limited exposure to treatment techniques.