The Orthodontic profession in India is well near 5000 strong, comprising qualified orthodontists and those from eastern European nation, whose qualification are yet to be recognized by the regulating authorities.

There are 92 Orthodontic programs in the country, taking it to the number one position in the world (reference WFO times Volume 15 no 1 2010 ) . There is, however, no reference available on the quality of the programs.

Orthodontic patient care is available throughout the country to the billion strong Indian population. Most Orthodontists are concentrated in the large cities, where they compete for the limited orthodontic care market.

The majority of the orthodontic patient care is provided by orthodontists on the move, who visit dental clinics periodically to take care of the orthodontic patients in the area.

The General Dental practitioner controls the orthodontic patient care market in India, directing and advising the patient for treatment for a monetary consideration. The Orthodontists feel obliged to pay in order to receive the reference. There is a growing competition amongst the orthodontists to offer higher kick back in the face of growing competition.

The loser in the deal is the patient. The Orthodontic patient is not generally referred to the better orthodontist, but to the one who offers a higher commission for the reference. To cover costs, the orthodontic patient has to shell out larger fees or may end up deprived of proper treatment. On the other hand, in order to make a decent profit, the patient is short changed and provided with compromised appliances and treatment.

The extensive and much glorified Orthodontic academic establishment has till date failed to provide a single thought process of value for the Indian orthodontic patient.

Almost the entire hardware for treatment is imported and there is a regular competition to sell the latest irrespective of the capability of the latest braces. The Indian orthodontist presents himself more as a salesman for braces than a technocrat.

With pre formed materials available in the market, the orthodontist’s skill has taken a backseat. Gone are the days when orthodontists used to toil over a case making stainless steel bands for the patients and bending wires to suit the individual needs of the patient. It was precisely these skills that put the orthodontist in the highest paid bracket in dental care.

The private dental colleges charge the earth for a seat in an orthodontic program. This has resulted in a crop of orthodontists from very wealthy families, who do not care to put in the required hard work to take the profession forward. There is a visible absence of initiative on the part of most orthodontists. Talent has clearly taken the back seat in Indian Orthodontics.

The patient must choose the orthodontist carefully, find out the qualifications, experience, time devoted to each patient, time taken to complete a case . Find out about his training, Where did he learn the new technique that is being offered ? How much experience does he have with the technique?

Do not get impressed with full waiting rooms, this could mean that the orthodontist is just a show man, with poor work delivery. Be careful selecting your braces. You may be offered very fancy latest braces for a higher amount of money. Remember you are not there to purchase braces, It is important that you get good treatment and excellent results in a reasonable time frame. Fancy braces cost a lot of money with no special benefit to the patient, do not fall for the salesmanship.

You may need to have some teeth extracted for the purpose of the treatment. Some patients get scared of the suggestion and start treatment with orthodontists who offer to treat without extractions. This could just be a method of grabbing business. When after a long period of time, when results are not showing up , a case is made to extract. If extractions are necessary, then there is no need to waste treatment time. Remember you are also wasting your precious time traveling to the doctor and that also costs money. A good diagnosis must help establish the need or otherwise for extractions.

Necessity is the mother of invention. Yes there is an alternative to a very expensive 3 year orthodontic program in a dental college. If you are going to practice orthodontics, it will be worth considering taking a private program. It will help you carry out a decent level of orthodontics. A large number of General Dentists have added Orthodontics to their practices in the USA. There are a large number of procedures in Preventive and interceptive orthodontics that can be easily handled by general dental practitioners. If you have the aptitude for Orthodontics and do not have the money to finance an orthodontic program, you should look for alternatives. Of course the degree will help you acquire a good job in a teaching institution, provided there are jobs available.